The rigors are intense, though. Scroggins says New Albany’ s band practices includes physical exercises like crunches, planks and push-ups.
“ The band members have to be physically prepared because fatigue affects both the music and the choreography,”
Hatchell agrees.
“ Truthfully, it is easier to get a student physically ready for marching band,” he said.“ It is more difficult to keep them mentally ready. The season is long and unforeseen things can happen. It is a challenge to keep the student mentally ready every performance. Plus, you don’ t know what took place in their home before the event. Beyond all of that, I also want them to have a good time doing their music.”
Competition for a high school band is more than just the competition on the field. Schools have to compete for the time and attention of the student. In addition to the requirements for graduation, dozens of extracurricular activities and organizations plead for the moments a student has to offer. Beyond school, many students also juggle a work schedule. Building a successful band program requires constant maintenance and care.
Once the program is established, the band then competes against itself. A program like Floyd Central High School has been successful for years. Each season, the band expects to take the steps to reach a bit higher, achieve more than previous groups.
Like sports, marching band helps teach students discipline and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to function as a team. In addition, the band fosters leadership skills, creativity and endurance. Cognitive skills like memory, problem-solving and concentration permeate every band member.
The supportive environment of marching band helps students build friendships, develop social skills and gain confidence. Students learn to communicate through their music, and nonverbally through their appearance. Band is a unique blend of physical activity, artistic creation and social interaction. The band plants seeds of life skills in a student that can grow and blossom throughout life.
Athletes talk about the moment in sports that fires them to the next level. The baseball player stands at the plate with two outs in the ninth, two on base and one run down. The basketball player steps to the free throw line as time has expired. The game can be won or lost with two made fouls shots. The field goal kicker can win the football game with a 40-yard boot as time runs out.
The band stands at the end of the field, waiting patiently and silently. An amplified voice from the judge’ s booth pierces the crispness of the autumn air. Every heart skips a beat.
“ Field Commanders, is your band ready to take the field?”
It’ s going to be an amazing season!
THE NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND’ S PERCUSSION SECTION PREPARS FOR PERFORMANCES AND COMPETITIONS.
NOV / DEC 2025 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 9