VAZz &Mtl Row l:J. Snell, B. Vaughan, A. Norris, S. Carrell (sponsor). Row 2: N. Daniel, N. Howell, T Replogle, D. Houtrouw. Row 3: C. Carrell (sponsor), D. Sigmund, C. Snider, C. Fonville. Row 4: L. Kirkman, T Lasley,]. Easter, M. White. iMr"o"i~~ BY COMING together While many students watched the Thundering Herd Marching Band perform at home football games, few knew just how much time and effort went into the creation of a successful marching season. These students were more than just fellow musicians; they were best friends. Preparation for marching season began months ahead of time, and the fall officially kicked off with a weeklong band camp beginning Aug. 14. Wesley Parket; director of athletic bands, and the student officers worked the entire summer in order to ensure its success and a positive first impression for the freshmen. "We traditionally have a theme for band camp, and this year's was 'Unified,"' junior Rives Rorabaugh said. "Our motto was ~I for One, One for All,' referring to our relationship to God. We related this to Mark 12:29-31 as our central idea." Band camp concluded each night with a couple of hours of games and mixers, something the majority of the group found to be bonding and cathartic. "Spending 12 or more hours a day for an entire week of camp is a lot of time together, and if everyone can feel comfortable with each other then those hours will be more pleasurable," Parker said. "To me, it is so important to create a relaxed atmosphere, and the nightly mixers are a great way to 'break the ice' for our new members." Camp sessions also included student-led rehearsal time, allowing for more open relationships among members. "Sectionals run by section leaders were more beneficial because they allowed for bonding," senior Katie McKune said. "We seemed to look out for each other a little more with our personal tragedies and difficulties. Also, Dr. Parker's spiritual focus has been a huge factor in setting the norm for the rest of the band." Activities did not end with the conclusion of band camp, however; officers organized a video scavenger hunt, a fall festival service project for inner city kids in Newport, Ark., and a fall formal, in addition to already-established traditions of Frisbee games, a canoe trip and cookouts. Long before the end of the season, the majority of the group viewed themselves as inseparable. "I am constantly amazed at the students I get to work with," Parker said. "College students relate to each other. Christians relate to each other. Musicians relate to each other. By combining all of these things, our students realize how similar they are. We are there to share a common goal. I believe that the closer the group is as friends, the better they will play as an ensemble." Rorabaugh agreed, saying that ultimately, it was their common love for Christ that gave them such deep bonds with each other. "We open every practice with a prayet; reminding us to give God the glory in all we do," Rorabaugh said. "We see each other at our best and at our worst. We have to cooperate, sweat and stink together in the sun and shiver in the cold. At the end of the day, we find ourselves just a bunch of brothers and sisters united in Christ more than anything, and yes, even in music." Sarah Eason Organizations fff
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