Band rehearsals now underway
By Donnie A. Lucas
Members of the Ragin’ Red Lion Band began sectional rehearsals for percussion and pit this week, with brass and woodwind sections being added next week in preparation for the 2023 marching season.
Director William Vaughan announced this week that the band will be working on a show entitled “Our World,” written by Luke McMillan.
Vaughan is expecting about 55 members in the band from grades 8-12 this season, with the goal of earning a third sweepstakes award.
The band has marched shows scored by McMillan for several years, including the past two when they earned Division I ratings on the way to sweepstakes awards.
The percussionists who stand on the sideline, known as the pit, met from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday this week, with the drum line scheduled for 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Rehearsals for all percussion players will continue at the regular time during the following week of July 31 through Aug. 3, with sectional practices for brass and woodwinds also scheduled. The director said that sectional rehearsals will be conducted mostly indoors to work on music due to the current heat wave.
Woodwinds will meet from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., followed by brass at 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The brass section will practice on Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. to allow for students to participate in church activities.
Uniform fittings will be held during the first week of August as scheduled by grade level and section.
The first full band rehearsals will begin on Monday Aug. 7 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. and continue through Thursday, with the exception of 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Full rehearsals will continue on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 14-15, with regular morning practices beginning on the first day of class on Thursday, Aug. 17.
Rehearsals will switch to the morning once the school year begins, with evening practices on Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon practices are also scheduled this year from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m.
Students don’t have Friday practices during summer band camp.
