Marching Pride opens year with championship aspirations

At times, senior Erin Hardman believes that it can be extremely hard to balance a life outside of marching band as it is a huge time commitment, especially when you have a job outside of school. Hardman especially has devoted much of her time to the band as one of the section leaders.
“Balancing school and work at the same time is a challenge at times when you are dealing with the time commitment of marching band,” Hardman said.
The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township is a combined marching band between Lawrence North and Lawrence Central. The marching band competes in competitions around the state of Indiana and National competitions as well.
The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township has practices everyday of the week except for Wednesdays and Saturdays. But during competition seasons, practice dates and times can easily be changed. Practices also take place during breaks. Practices are held Monday and Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays practices last for about 3 hours.
Practices take place at both LN and LC. They take turns going to each of the schools for practices. Practices are also held in the mornings on Saturdays unless the band is participating in a competition that weekend.
“It’s a typical season, think of it like it being a fall sport schedule. There is a little practice in the summer. Think of them like musical athletes. They do earn gym credits. There are definitely challenges.We are proud of our training program. A lot of people think they can do it but they can’t. If you’re fairly in shape you can do it,” Glen Hauger, one of band directors, said.
For many students, this can be a challenging schedule to balance. Like athletes, the marching band students must use their time wisely so that they can get their homework done while also keeping up their participation in the band. Section leader senior Kiara Haynes has learned to manage her time wisely to make sure she gets everything done. With weekend practices and practices after school, Haynes is left with very little time to do much else.
“I think that it’s pretty intense. We have practices on Saturdays and if we have competition that’s also on Saturday, so our Saturdays are gone. It takes up weekends,” Haynes said
Senior Cameron Rostron, section leader, also has his challenges at times dealing with the time commitment and homework assignments for school.
“I think being able to get my homework done and having time to spend time with friends is the most challenging thing about the practice regimen for Marching band,” Rostron said.

Although the time commitment can be rigorous, Haynes believes that since the members of marching band spend a lot of time with each other in and out of practices, they form significant relationships and become a family. Haynes thinks that this is part of what students enjoy a lot about marching band.
“I mean you do make friends in marching band. We may fight and have disagreements but we always make up afterward. We are like a family,” Haynes said.
Drum Major senior Cameron Wilson agrees with Haynes that friendships are developed and formed in marching band. Wilson believes these friendships are long lasting as they spend most of their time together.
“Most friendships are formed in marching band and expand out of practices and competitions. I would consider us a real close knit group,” Wilson said.
Hauger has great expectations for Marching Pride this year and has high hopes for this group of students. This year, Marching Pride is changing their game plan and trying a new approach that will make them even more competitive. Hauger hopes this will give the band a new and refreshing twist on their show compared to what they have done on the past.
“Well, we expect to be competitive. We have a great show. We think this show is different from what we’ve done. We have a new approach. Some of the new music is more accessible. Its newer and we are going for a different strategy. I think we’re going to do very well,” Hauger said.