Band camp preps local musicians for marching season

The recurring punch line from the 1999 movie American Pie that begins, “One time at band camp...,” has had surprising staying power.

For an observer stopping by band camp in late July at Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia high schools, that famous zinger could end with, “We worked really hard” or “We got up very early” or perhaps, “We had a blast.”

All three of those conclusions and, likely many others, would be accurate.

For the record, band camp at Valencia County high schools is the time during the summer, also called “preseason,” when student musicians, flag twirlers and others train to get ready for the “regular season,” which is marked by marching competitions and performances at football games.

Shortly after 8 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, band members at Los Lunas High School were lined up in a parking lot doing stretching exercises, many wearing knee pads.

“This year, they are doing a lot of stuff on the ground,” said Mariko McWhorter, director of bands at LLHS. “Since we’re on the asphalt, a good portion of the time I required the kids to get knee pads, so they don’t tear up their knees.”

McWhorter adds that LLHS, with nearly 90 members, “is a little bit less of a traditional marching band.”

Just outside the Tigers’ band room is a parking lot, or as McWhorter calls it, “the practice field.” The surface has stripes and markings like a football field, about 2/3 of regulation size.

“The kids can basically take what we learned up here and transfer it down to any main football field,” he said.

The time frame is generally two weeks long for local band camps, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour break for lunch.

During the morning session at Los Lunas, “They’re working on their marching fundamentals and basics, body carriage and posture so that when we place instruments in their hands, they start to feel more comfortable,” explained McWhorter. “The afternoon is spent inside focused on the music.”

Later that morning in the Hub City, the Belen High School Intensity Marching Band was on the football field, coordinating part of a routine.

Sophomore Desiree Lucadamo, assistant drum major, said she has seen big improvement since the start of band camp, “because they asked questions and they’ve been willing to learn.”

To the uninitiated, the list of items to learn may seem confusing. Lucadamo says there is, “attention, horns up, mark time and our faces,” plus “forward march, left slide, backwards march and right slide.”

Overseeing it all is BHS graduate Kristen Baca, who is beginning her second year as head band instructor.

“Like night and day,” is how Baca compares this year to last. “We’re doing so much better. We’re making so much progress.”

At BHS, attendance at band camp is required, unless an absence is approved in advance. Baca said students who take to the field, “Really, really work hard. They’re exhausted by the end of the day.”

One day later, Valencia concluded what was a “positive” summer session.

“We’ve gotten almost two weeks of awesome, excellent work done,” said Nate Van Dam, VHS marching band director. “The kids are digging it.”

In marching band, there are simultaneous responsibilities, according to Van Dam, who works with Michelle Stanbary, director of bands at VHS.

“Marching and playing. We have body movement, what you might call choreography,” he explained. “Everybody has to do it exactly the same way at the same time.”

The early wake-up call can be a challenge, but “For me, it’s pretty easy because I really love band,” explained Sebastian Quevedo, VHS assistant drum major. “It’s my passion.”

Quevedo, a junior, finds one aspect of his leadership role difficult.

“I don’t really like bossing people around,” he said. “Their mood gets down and it brings down the spirit of the band. I must get used to it because there must be order.”

Helping to keep the order at Los Lunas are drum majors Jaron Jolly, Herman Saenz, both seniors, and Miranda Gardea-Ceniceros, a junior.

“The leader in me is so excited to see them learn,” said Gardea-Ceniceros. “Getting up in the morning is harsh, but every time I walk in, I see them with energy, and it energizes me to do better.”

Jolly calls band camp “the hardest part of the season because you’re in the hot sun for a long time, learning stuff that you’ve never learned before. We’re always tired,” but quickly adds, “it’s probably the most fun part of the year as well.”

LLHS has a large group of freshmen, who have “really good tone. They are loud,” Saenz praises.

As for band camp itself, “It’s really fun. It’s a place where you can get away from all your other things.”

After a long, hot summer, band members no doubt would be grateful if fans at football games check out a little of their performance before heading down for a hot dog or nachos.

“Band camp is physically intensive. It’s mentally intensive,” said McWhorter about the heart and soul poured into training at LLHS.

Much of the enjoyment comes from watching, and hearing, things come together.

“There’s so much improvement from the rookies and even the veterans,” according to Valencia’s Quevedo. “It’s all good.”

Baca, at BHS, enjoys watching the Eagles teamwork, “experiencing camaraderie without phones and digital things in front of their faces — I think that’s what really brings them together.”

Lucadamo, who has been with the BHS marching band since middle school, said, “Marching band is amazing. I think more people should do it.”

All three bands will perform on Friday, Aug. 23, when the Eagles, Jaguars and Tigers play home football games.