While football players' warm up is part of the spectacle of Friday nights, the marching band has their own warm up before hitting the field. The band suits up for every home football game, unpacking their instruments, warming up, and getting dressed in uniform while enjoying the sound of some classic tunes and the company of friends.
“[Dancing] gets me hyped for a long night,” Cassidy Cwiertnia, junior flutist, said.
The band room fills with students every home game night by 6pm. Players grab their instruments to warm up, whether it’s practicing the halftime show or playing along to the background music. It's not uncommon to hear clarinets and saxophones playing to September, Don’t Stop Believin', or Take Me Home, Country Roads.
"I like the music that we turn on in the band room," Ellie Oh, freshman flutist, said. "it cheers us up before [marching] so we’re always having fun."
"I always get nervous a little bit because I'm worried I'm going to mess up," Oh said. "[Practicing] helps me be prepared to play at the game."
Oh always gets to the band room at least 15 minutes early for the extra practice time. She enjoys the lively atmosphere and often talks with friends after her warm up, Oh said.
“It’s the best part of marching band, right here,” Nicole Polites, freshman sousaphonist, said. "Hanging out with everybody."