Santa Rita marching band members practice in the heat Tuesday at camp. They will drill three times a day until school starts Aug. 11.
Not one instrument was played during the first half of Santa Rita High School’s eight-hour marching band practice Tuesday, though the rigorous training brought to mind the stirring theme from the movie “Rocky.”
But Rocky Balboa had nothing on the Santa Rita band.
About 25 incoming freshmen suffered through 100-degree heat, learning the fundamentals of marching from band director Mike May and his staff of alumni early last week.
“A lot of these kids are thinking, ‘What did I get myself into?’ ” said Joe Elrey, 21, a former Santa Rita tuba player and University of Arizona band member.
On Wednesday, about 50 veteran band members joined the freshmen to begin 13 hours of three-a-day practices that end when school starts Aug. 11.
Precision is the theme.
Unused instruments must be in clean, straight lines and instructors strode between band lines correcting posture and movement.
May, with the aid of a remote-controlled bullhorn, shouted instructions:
On holding instruments high and still: “Do not let the hunk of metal, woodwind or flag control you.”
On stepping form: “You are not a robot; do not be jerky.”
On proper marching: “If you march with solid fundamentals, you’ll make pretty pictures, but if you don’t, the pictures are going to suck!”
Veterans were not spared when May thought they were unfocused at Thursday night’s practice.
“Returners, you are on autopilot right now; dig down mentally,” May said.
During water breaks granted every 10 to 15 minutes, red faces and shoulder rubbing revealed the toll.
Elrey pointed out Lisa Timpani, a returning baritone player.
“She is so tough, she will stand at attention with tears rolling down her face (from holding up her instrument), but she doesn’t say a word,” he said admiringly.
“Band hurts, but it’s fun,” said Keira Guthrie, 14.
That’s the balance May wants.
“I’m so intense, I could stand at attention for an hour and have fun, but the kids aren’t like that,” May, a 2003 UA grad and former university band member, said with a smile.
To relax during practice, the team played games and May told a lot of jokes, calling himself “old,” and pantomiming the walk of a monkey.
He also gave praise generously.
“I wanted to tell you all what a good job you did today. You met today’s goal,” May told 75 sweaty-faced teens.
Santa Rita band received “excellent” and “superior” ratings respectively at the largest competitions last year, UA’s Band Day and the state tournament, two of the highest scores a band can receive, May said.
Personal rewards also were considerable, especially for newcomers, he said.
“Freshmen will have been at school for two weeks and have made 80 friends,” he said.
“Meeting people and playing music are my favorites,” said Courtney Smith, 14.
Returning members also were enthusiastic.
“Since I came back and started taking more of a leadership role, I’ve become more confident, and I take it with me every day,” said Ryan Smith, 16.
When school starts, band members will arrive at 6 a.m. for pre-class drills and practice after school. Songs by AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses will help the band compete with rivals Sabino and Sahuaro, said May.
“Sometimes you hear bands do music that sounds cheesy but ours makes the kids excited,” he added with a grin.
Santa Rita junior Lisa Timpani, 16, makes moose ears during drilling Tuesday at band camp.
Santa Rita band director Mike May leads his band during an afternoon practice session.
The drum line drills Wednesday night during the weeklong camp.
Senior Hollie Fugate, 17, holds her spot as band director Mike May has camp participants mark time Tuesday.
Santa Rita Marching Band Camp
Santa Rita Marching Band Camp
Santa Rita Marching Band braves the summer heat for band camp in late July. Though camp might sound like summer recreation, participants worked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays during the training that ran July 28 through Aug. 6. The band’s Excellent rating given at last year’s UA Band Day shows the hard work student-musicians and their instructors put in during band camp pays off.
Producer: FRANCISCO MEDINA
Slide 1 of 27.
Santa Rita Band Director Mike May demonstrates proper form to some of the incoming freshmen during band camp early July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 2 of 27.
You'd think band camp warm-up would involve musical instruments, but it starts first with stretching, then running before Santa Rita Marching Band members even get to musical and marching drills.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 3 of 27.
Santa Rita Marching Band members march with their instruments July 29 at band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 4 of 27.
Plenty of water breaks keep the Santa Rita Marching Band members functioning in the summer heat of band camp, which also allows some time to socialize July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 5 of 27.
What a bunch of Bullwinkle! Santa Rita junior Lisa Timpani, 16, joins other Marching Band members presenting moose ears during morning drills at band camp July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 6 of 27.
Santa Rita Marching Band members hold their instruments at attention during morning band camp drills July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 7 of 27.
Santa Rita freshman Josh Duron, 14, holds his baritone at attention during practice July 29 with the Marching Band.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 8 of 27.
Holding their attention, Santa Rita Marching Band members strike a pose with their instruments at band camp July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 9 of 27.
On the mark, get set . . . blow! Santa Rita senior Hollie Fugate, 17, holds her spot as Band Director Mike May (left) has the Marching Band mark time at band camp July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 10 of 27.
Man, Santa Rita junior Jared Thompson, 16, is hot! Or maybe it's Sol overhead that makes it seem so as the Marching Band member holds his trumpet at attention during band camp July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 11 of 27.
At ease at ease, Santa Rita junior Marissa Raleigh, 16, relaxes at band camp July 29.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 12 of 27.
Santa Rita freshmen (from left) Meghan Davis, Keara Guthrie and Molly Pedraza, all 14, stay cool during a warm day at band camp with a little water fun.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 13 of 27.
Santa Rita Marching Band drill instructor Monica Medina, a 17-year-old senior, holds her clarinet at attention July 29 at band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 14 of 27.
Santa Rita junior Lisa Timpani, 16, struggles to hold her baritone at attention at band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 15 of 27.
Santa Rita Band Director Mike May leads his Marching Band during music practice. A band camp afternoon session moves inside to escape the late-July/early-August summer heat.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 16 of 27.
May I lead? Santa Rita Band Director Mike May conducts the Marching Band during an afternoon music practice indoors.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 17 of 27.
Marching Band drill instructors work with incoming Santa Rita freshmen during a late-July afternoon practice session during band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 18 of 27.
Beating the heat, the Santa Rita drum line works indoors on their music during an afternoon practice session.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 19 of 27.
Marching Band drill instructors find an out-of-the-way spot indoors to work with clarinet section newcomers - incoming Santa Rita freshmen - during an afternoon session.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 20 of 27.
Going through the motions, Santa Rita Marching Band members drill without instruments to focus on their footwork July 30 during band camp. Daily workouts ran from 8 a.m. through 9 p.m. weekdays during the July 29-Aug. 6 camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 21 of 27.
Santa Rita Marching Band drumline drills into the evening July 30 at band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 22 of 27.
Another evening blown? Full band workouts under way, Santa Rita's Marching Band works into the night July 30 during band camp.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 23 of 27.
What, no taps? The sun sets July 30, not to the sound of junior Jared Thompson's trumpet but to the silence of the 16-year-old and fellow Santa Rita Marching Band members locked at attention.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 24 of 27.
Boom boom, out go the lights: Santa Rita Marching Band drumline drills late July 30. But don't worry about keeping the neighbors awake, band camp falls silent at 9 p.m.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 25 of 27.
Santa Rita Marching Band works well into the night July 30 as full band workouts got under way.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 26 of 27.
Attention to detail: Santa Rita Marching Band members probably could see things falling into place halfway through weeklong band camp . . . if it weren't so dark out.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 27 of 27.
Night descends on Santa Rita, and still the Marching Band plays on.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson Citizen
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