At Mount Vernon High School, the school’s band isn’t just about music. It’s about dedication, teamwork, and passion.
Whether performing at school sports events, concerts, or pep rallies, these talented students put in hours of practice to perfect their sound. From lively marching tunes to intricate concert pieces, the band plays a vital role in school spirit and community engagement.
Their efforts not only bring energy to school events but also create lasting memories for both the musicians and their audience. With each performance, the band continues to grow, showcasing their talent and dedication to their craft.
Performing in front of a crowd can be nerve-wracking at times, especially during the excitement of Friday night football games. However, the support from the crowd, the cheering, clapping, and school pride, make it all worthwhile. Junior Madeline Springer shared that the energized environment created by the audience keeps the band motivated and makes every performance unforgettable. She explained that during football season, the band works extremely hard to put together 2–3 different shows each season, each with different music, marching, and even dancing routines.
Beyond the excitement of performing, what many people don’t realize is the strong sense of community that the band builds. “Together, we spend 2–3 weeks in the summer, class time, weekly practices, community event performances, and of course, Friday nights together,” Springer said. “After a year of band, students realize how special it is to have a place in our band family.”
One of Springer’s favorite traditions is band camp, where section leaders pick fun daily themes and students spend hours preparing for football season performances while bonding as a team.
The behind-the-scenes work that goes into a typical practice is equally impressive. During marching season, students first assemble their instruments and music before heading outside to the practice field.
After warming up together in a circle, Mr. Marcho, the band director, announces the day’s plan, whether it’s running through sets, focusing on specific sections, or working on notes. Sometimes, the band splits into smaller groups called “sectionals” to fine-tune their parts.
The drum majors, including Zoe Meyer, also help sections stay on track and make sure everyone is prepared. After a final run-through of the day’s music, the practice wraps up with important reminders and announcements.
Concert season brings a slightly different routine. Practices take place in the band room, starting with warm-ups and tuning. Mr. Marcho displays the day’s plan on the smart board, and the band works through concert pieces, stopping to polish sections as needed. Once practice ends, students pack up and get ready for their next performance.
Many band members have personal stories about how they got started. For Zoe Meyer, it was the influence of her older brothers and her friends that inspired her to join the band in sixth grade. Now, after 5–6 years of being a member, she plays the flute, an instrument she loves for its soft, beautiful flow. Zoe also holds a leadership role as a drum major, standing on the podium to conduct the band alongside Mr. Marcho. Being a drum major comes with big responsibilities, from keeping students on task to making sure the performances run smoothly.
At Mount Vernon High School, the band is about more than just music, it’s about leadership, community, hard work, and creating moments that everyone will remember for years to come. Their spirit continues to strike up pride, joy, and a little bit of magic at every performance.
