Bang on the Drum All Day

By: Katie Arbach

            Left, Left, Left, Right, Left!  Horns up!  Roll your feet!  Chin’s up!  Guide right!  If you’ve been hearing this in town around 7:30 in the morning it’s probably because the Hoven High School Marching Band is getting ready for Gypsy Days in a few short weeks. 

            How does all of this hard work pay off?  Band instructor, Elizabeth Bengs said, “Marching band definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication.  When everyone puts in 100% we create a strong, unified ensemble.  Our goal is to come home with a gold at Gypsy Days, along with the award for top band of the day.  My favorite pay off from marching band is hearing people talk about the strong marching tradition we uphold in Hoven.  In fact, in both of my previous years, I have received emails from NSU students stating that our band is being talked about in music ed. classes.  This definitely shows that we have done our community and alumni proud!.” 

            Although waking up earlier isn’t something any of the students like to do, they all believe their hard work will pay off in the end. 

            Even though most people probably think marching band is one of the easier extracurricular activities they are sadly mistaken.  Mrs. Bengs stated that one of the benefits of being in marching band is physical activity, “Marching starts your day off on the “right foot” (well, actually the left when we march!) Some may think that surely you don’t get much exercise from marching, but just ask these students—if you are doing it correctly, you are getting a good workout and working up a sweat!”

            The confidence that Beng’s shows, is also rubbing off on her students.  Senior, Scott Glodt said, “Although our band is small and young, we might struggle right away but we will rise to the occasion when Gypsy Days comes.” 

            One of the great things about our little town is the giant support we always receive from our community.  The Gypsy Day’s parade is on Saturday, October 5^th, so if you are in Aberdeen that day, please don’t forget to stop by the parade and cheer loud for the Hoven High School Marching Band!