Marching band showcases another side of Friday night Tiger teamwork

The athletes present at the football game pose an important position in the overall entertainment of the game. The football players excite the fans, allow them to have something to cheer for and something to have joy over. But there are many more roles within the football game that serve important roles. And two of those roles are the marching band and the color guard. In fact, there are more marching band and color guard members combined than football players, coaches and other athletic officials combined.

The marching band and the color guard provide the pre-game and mid-game entertainment, as well as “hype” for the crowd after touchdowns and such. In most games, the marching band and color guard will even perform the National Anthem, and the CFHS fight song, Illinois Loyalty, which both bring patriotism into the stands and out on the field. Although what really makes the performances so powerful is the preparation, dedication and community that goes behind each game.

The preparation behind each performance is, as Isaac Morlan, a senior trumpet player and section leader of the trumpet section explains, crucial. He said, “Mentally preparing is a big thing for me. I go over the music in my head beforehand, and calm myself before a performance.” He also said on the matter of remaining stress-free during a performance, “Knowing [in a football game performance] that what you prepared for is what you can do at that point, and knowing that you are doing your best [is what keeps you stress-free during a performance].”

The dedication behind football game performances is also important to having a successful performance, according to senior color guard member, Ella Stineman. She said, “We have nightly practices on Tuesday and Thursday. We learn tips and tricks to stay in time [keeping your steps in time with the music], be together and do basic maneuvers. We also memorize, clean and learn.” 

The repetitive practicing is what keeps everyone on the color guard on track. But, marching band members must also keep calm and stressless. Stineman said, “Go with the flow. You can’t plan out everything as it’s supposed to be. Go with what the band is doing. Go with what the teachers are doing. Most likely everything will be fine. Making a designated schedule will make everyone else stressed. Simply go with the flow. Go with the band. Stay together. Be a team.”

The community of the marching band is the final aspect of what makes the marching band so powerful and supportive to the athletic team. Emma Fuchtman, a senior drum major, said in relation to the community in the marching band, “My favorite part is just getting to hang out with people, and the energy of it. And hearing all the parts come together.” She also said, “It’s [football game performances] usually fun and high energy, and I like hanging out with people I know, since I usually don’t get to see them during rehearsals. It’s also good to see the hard work pay off.” 

Jenna Borwick, a junior drum major, said she loves being a drum major and being in the marching band community. “I love working with Emma and Aaron, and it’s really fun working with people and working with them musically.” She also said, “I love when we are outside for rehearsal, and we get to answer questions people have,and talk to people in the band. I like that part. I like the community.”

So, whenever a touchdown is scored, half-time begins or “hype” is desperately needed, the marching band and color guard will be there to perform and push the Tiger team to ultimate victory through their preparation, dedication and community.