As fall comes around the corner, so does homecoming. Everyone in school prepared for the very special event, and the band got ready for their homecoming performance.  While all of the members prepared for the highly expected show, all of MACES just has to wonder: How does the band actually prepare?

Band practice is very interesting for these MACES students.  Haylee Ramos, ASB class of 2024 vice president, and a sophomore in the band said, “Homecoming practice is challenging but fun at the same time. It’s different compared to the practices we’ve had before because now we have to form shapes and letters.” Ramos believes that her new routine “adds more excitement to the show and can be a bit more complicated.” She also said, “I would rather do homecoming practices because they really show us that we can do more complex things if we just practice and try our best.” 

Each member of the band has their personal reasons as to why they enjoy the band. Maricarmen Vega, a sophomore in band said, “I personally do enjoy band because it’s really fun, and I was able to make lots of new friends.” Other students in band feel the same way.

  “ I love band! It’s the thing I look forward to every day whether it’s band class or after-school rehearsal.” Ramos said. She also said that “band is my safe space. I love all my friends and teachers there. It’s the place I want to go when I’m feeling stressed out because it makes me feel important and like I belong somewhere.”  

If an individual at MACES is ever interested in joining the band. There are multiple instruments that one can play. There’s the snare drum that Ramos plays. Ramos is a co-section leader of the drumline, which consists of percussion instruments. Another instrument students can play is the clarinet. Vega plays the clarinet. She said, “you have to get used to the finger positions and then learn how to read the music depending on your instrument.” She also said, “Personally, I think it’s very complicated because of all the notes you have to learn and the finger positions can also really stress you out but, once you get the hang of it. It’s pretty fun being able to play music.” 

Practice always requires hard work and effort.  Ramos said, “we practice after school from four to seven p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, and on occasional Fridays when we don’t have a home game, we practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.  She explains that “during these practices, we rehearse as sections, then as a whole group and then we do marching … The term for rehearsing as a section is called sectionals,” Ramos said. When they do this they split up into groups that have the same instrument. Ramos goes into a group with the other snare drum players, she said she and her section “try to fix or correct anything that would pertain specifically to the drumming and us staying together as snares, as opposed to when we do rehearsal and we correct keeping up with the rest of the band or focusing on the music.” 

Practice is going wonderful for these MACES band students. Diego Villa, a freshman said, “I think practice is going fairly well, I feel like I’m doing pretty good with my songs and it feels easy enough”. Ramos also had a similar feeling, she said, “I am happy with the way

homecoming practices are going because each day we get better and better. If we make mistakes at practice we first identify what we’re doing wrong and then find a way to correct them. Ramos believes that “we have made lots of progress with our homecoming routine and can continue to make even more.” 

The band has done a wonderful job at preparing for homecoming. Villa said, “the band members are all spectacular and amazing.” MACES students and staff are ready to see more wonderful things coming from them in the future.