Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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eariv ' ractiee help - • • r I bvCht a by Christy Setter Before most students made tlieir way back to Manhattan for the fall semester, the K-State Marching Band had already begun preparations for another event-filled season. A six-dav band camp taught ne v members the basics oliiiarching and ga e everyone the chance to practice routines. The first few sessions we work on fimdamentals and learning different styles of marching, saidjana Patton, clarinet player and freshman in nutrition science. Then we have marching tests to make sine von can march and play at the same time. Members rehearsed from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. throughont the week. It is necessary to start band in the simimer because if we waited until school started everyone would be really overwhelmed, said Krista Patton, piccolo player and sophomore in elementary education. It is a lot easier to focus on the fundamentals when you don ' t have school and a million other things to worry about. Throughout camp, the band worked on their pre-game show and the first half-time routine, which allowed them to practice on Wagner Field. Practicing at the stadium helps the band to get the feel of the field and know where to go, Dvlan Palmer, tuba, freshman in open-option, said. It helps make the best show and to give the right impression to the crowd. Recognized for their performances at football games, the band worked to improve the atmosphere for fans. The first (performance) — we did the TV Land, said Ginny Penn, piccolo player andjimior in animal sciences and industry. It ' s a whole combination of (medleys). The TV Land performance included songs from sitcoms such as the Monkey ' s, I Love Lucy and the Brady Bunch. Penn said the Classy C ats performed their dance feature to this medley of songs. Despite the 1 1-hour time commitment required for band camp, members said they felt the experience was rewarding. The best part of being in band is actually getting to perform in front of people, Jana said. I love getting to be part of such a great group. The Manhattan community recognized a:id welcomed the band outside the K-State environment, Palmer said. Playing for people other than just at campus builds spirit because we are able to see first-hand how the community actually respects us and enjoys listening to us, he said. We aren ' t consid- ered the typical ' band geeks, ' but rather as a contributing part of the community. That ' s awesome. As the sun sets, Dr. Frank Tracz, director of K-State IVlarch- ing Band, conducts the band as the day comes to an end. The bond wore mesh shorts and t-shirts during games where the temperature was harmful to band participants. It Is so much fun to see all of the work we have done come together into a show, Krista Patton, sophomore in elementary educa- tion, said. Everyone is so responsible about learning their own parts so that when we put it together It works as a show. Photo by Drew Rose marching band 27

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As the day ends, L. Niecy Tajuba, sopho- more in political sci- ence, and technology and Matt Prascher, sophomore in phys- ics, practice marching in line and working on their tuba skills. I think that by being so busy, we all learn how to manage our time really well, Krista Patton, sophomore in elementary educa- tion, said. I stay really busy, but I stay caught up because I know the practices and performances that I have ahead of me. Photo by Drew Rose After marching in lines for almost an hour, band members take a five-minute break to lounge on Memo- rial Field before they regroup. They broke into smaller groups to work on their marching and timing. The band members practiced 11 hours a day during their six days at band camp. I love band, Jana Patton, freshman in nutrition science, said. You have 300 instant friends who you spend a lot of time with throughout the season. Photo by Drew Rose rr student life

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Instead of painting a liouse on Colorado St. ttie morning of April 17, Becky Rotti, frestiman in anttiropology, tries to paint the face of fellow volunteer Allie Daniels, frestiman in sociology. It was just a great feeling ttiat you ' re tielping some- one out who other wise wouldn ' t be able to do it themselves, Daniels said. The ser- vice project involved campus groups, such as Beginning A Prom- ising Profession, Chi Omega and Circle-K International. Photo by Nicole Coleman 2S student life