The Marching Band is a part of Lincoln East that has carried the culture of the school for decades. With 185 members, marching band makes up almost 10% of the school. Successful performing at football games, and festivals, marching band carries its value in the community.
Every morning at 7:30, on Stewart Field, you can find all 185 band students ready to rehearse. This year’s theme is Mirage, encompassing Middle Eastern music themes as well as Arabian dances. This show will remain the same the rest of the year, only getting better as they continue to practice. Arabian music created an artsy show full of slow, intricate movements that showcased the musicality of the group as well as the organization on field. Tom Thorpe, the director of Lincoln East bands, explains how the theme is selected each year: by showcasing the strengths the group may have at each time.
The Marching band performs at every home football game, as well as four marching band festivals every year. At the festivals the group has consecutively gotten a superior rating. The Lincoln East Marching Band has also been seen traveling across the country, recently to Nashville Tennessee, to compete in competitions.
Although the number of students at East seems to be decreasing, the marching band numbers do the opposite, with the proportion of band students at East on the rise. As all four grade levels are combined into one group, East’s band is one of the largest in the state.
“It is a very cohesive group and everyone feels included,” Josie Jobst, drum major, said. “You can find your own home as well as your own circle within the larger band home.”
Along with friendships, band provides opportunities like scholarships and leadership positions. The community and organization of such a large group of students is attributed to the solid student leadership. Every year, three drum majors are selected to conduct the show, helping all of the sounds come together correctly. A drum major is the highest leadership position in marching band, meaning that anyone with a problem will come to the drum major, making the band a self-sustaining environment.
“There are lots of things on the student’s shoulders, as far as taking attendance, handing out drill charts, memorizing music, different things that pass from us, to the leadership, so there is that kind of team of almost teachers standing next to the directors,” Thorpe said.
The Marching Band is impressive on many levels. Regarding the large size of it, the success they have had and hope to continue this year, the community that has been created, and the students that step up as leaders throughout the group. The group will continue to perform throughout the fall, as their first competition is September 28.
