The marching band is set to compete in the upcoming competition hosted by Lawrence Central this Saturday.

In order to prepare for the event, as well as all future events, marching band members practice in the mornings before school from 7:00 to 7:40, as well as after school from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. These practices take place every weekday, Tuesday through Friday. In addition to practices during the school-week, the marching band also practices for six hours on Saturdays when there is no scheduled competition.

According to band director Andrew Cook, the marching band practices for approximately 10 hours during the school week.

The Lawrence Central competition takes place the day of Homecoming, causing some members to miss it. Cook said that when this has happened, band members have developed their own festivities, usually referred to as “Bandcoming”.

Trumpet player and sophomore Aaron Melemed said, “The Lawrence Central competition is on Homecoming night,” Melemed said. “We’ll get back around 8 or 8:30 p.m., and some people will go to Homecoming, but the band is have ‘Bandcoming’ about a week later.”

Also on the horizon for the marching band is Bands of America, which takes place at the new Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 27. Cook said that the marching band will go early for a soundcheck at the new stadium, and then the actual competition will take place later that evening. By Monica Rice