by Gillian Schaps

All high school students would agree that there is not much like Friday night football. Hoards of spirited fans create an aura of excitement as they cheer from the sidelines and rally to support the team. My personal experience, however, slightly differed from the typical fan. As a member of the Norcross High School Marching Band, my game days consisted of an early report time, hours of uniform preparation, equipment management, and time spent cheering from quite high in the stands. Halftime was show time for me and 150 other members of this dedicated organization and when other fans took a break, our real night began. We played and cheered from before the game started until after it ended and were always the first to show up and the last to leave.

Despite missing out on getting to be a regular fan, I, nor any other marching band member, would think twice about our participation in the ensemble. At the ripe age of 14 we were taught how to represent ourselves, act professionally, have a great time, and be part of a successful band. We did not have to miss out on being with friends; it was quite the opposite. The band itself consisted of 150 of our closest friends and together we made quite a family. Just like a family, there were hair splitting moments and hopeless practices, but year after year, we somehow managed to create something amazing.

Though most of what the public sees of the band takes place on a football field, all music truly starts in the classroom. Concert ensembles are the strength of the Norcross department continually receiving superior ratings and national awards. Though we don’t play rock-and-roll tunes, the concert bands push students to explore beyond basic music and achieve skill that is rarely seen at a high school level. Music is considered an elective, but students learn things from a conductor’s baton they might not otherwise. Sixty teenagers can listen keenly to the music being created around them, understand their part in the entire piece, and work together to create beautiful emotions from mere ink on a page. It would be difficult to find a higher level of concentration and craftsmanship than I have found in my high school band.

As a senior looking back on my high school experience, I share typical memories with others in my position: the first terrifying day of school, hard tests, mean teachers, fun nights at prom, theater productions. I also know that my experience was unique and much more meaningful because of my participation in the Norcross Band. I have found mentors, friends, talent, success, and most importantly, a passion. Though I will leave the program this year, that extraordinary passion will continue at Norcross for many years, concerts, and marching shows to come.