Ram band goes to boot camp
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Instruments littered the field like a yard sale. All 250 members of the Colorado State University marching band snaked up and down the practice field, at first without their instruments.
“It’s more precise when you don’t start with instruments. You can just focus on the direction changes with your body,” said Joy Perry-Grice, a sophomore in the CSU marching band.
A wayward trombonist can easily take out teeth if instruments are incorporated before the band has mastered its movements.
School is back in session this week, but the CSU marching band came to campus early so they’re ready for gameday. For seven days — from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — the band toiled under the August sun, learning how to play together.
During band camp, students learn six pregame songs, as well as staple tunes the band plays during football games.
“Most students, when they start band, it's inside learning how to play an instrument,” said Jayme Taylor, the director of athletic bands at CSU, in an interview last season.
“To strip away those walls, spread everybody out on the field, and put them in front of a crowd of 30,000 people on a game day is a huge leap forward,” he said.
Every home football game, the band performs new music and marches during halftime. This year, CSU has seven home games.
“The physical stuff isn't so bad…it's the heat, it's long days, it's making sure you're staying positive,” said Reese Navarro, a second year from Windsor and color guard section leader.
CSU’s first home football game is September 6. The Rams play University of Northern Colorado.
Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.