The marching band may not be the main focus of a football game, but it certainly brings in many parents and students to home games.

“The marching band is the best part of a football game,” Junior Christopher Jackson said.

Marching band members enjoy firing up students and parents, and participating in multiple traditions during their season.

“Without the band,”Junior and drum major Laura Graveline said, “Football games would be empty and silent.”
The band is very successful as well.

“You see, the football team hasn’t won a home game yet,” sophomore Eli Bratsch-Prince said, “but the band wins every game.”

The band performs a pre-game and halftime show at all the home football games, and their season will end with the Marching Band Spectacular on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.This year’s songs include “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and “Live and let Die” by Paul McCartney and Wings.

During the game, the band members sit next to the student section, and their cheers are easily louder than the cheerleaders.

When there is a timeout or switch of possession, the band plays a short beat and then plays the AHS loyalty song whenever the Cyclones score.

“We are very loud because of the sheer number of people in the band,” sophomore Olivia Sauer said.
The band is not all seriousness. Band-raid is one of the long standing traditions of the Ames High marching band. It consists of going to teachers’ houses in the middle of the night and playing instruments until the teachers come out of their house.

“It was probably my crowning experience as a sophomore because I didn’t go as a freshman” said Eli Bratsch-Prince, “Being out till 3 in the morning with fellow band nerds is my idea of a good time”.

After waking up the teachers, the band goes to Perkins and eats breakfast. This year the band visited Mr. Zmolek, Mr. Mooney, Mr. Schmaltz, Mr Ewan and Mrs. DiBlasi.

The band is very secretive about their traditions.

“We never have fun. We are a very serious and disciplined band” Laura Graveline said.

For many people, band is a place to make new friends and have fun as well as practice musical skills. The season starts with a 5 day long band-camp.

“It was nice because I met some people before I started school freshman year,” Olivia Sauer said.

Junior Laura Graveline disagrees, “You make long- lasting friendships when trapped in a tiny metal bus for 27 hours.” She is referring to the Band Tour trip in Florida that was taken by the band last year. They marched in a parade at Disneyland.

The marching band is completing another wonderful season. Be sure to check them out before this year is over.
As Junior Shay Haverkamp says, “Hug it. Chug it. FOOTBALL”.