ARTESIA — Pride and leadership are already strong and established in the Artesia High School band.
Each morning for the past two weeks, the band has been on the practice field and ready to go before 7 a.m.
“There is a special excitement and energy this year,” said director Tom Dillon.
After morning marching rehearsal, there is an inside music rehearsal for about two hours on show music and stand tunes that will entertain and energize the atmosphere at AHS football games.
Each afternoon, band students meet for an additional two to three hours to memorize and pass off music for directors and section leaders in order to earn a spot in the show. Dillon reports that music was memorized early on and students are now working on All-State audition music.
The band has learned the first two drills for competition in the SENMMEA District Marching Festival that will take place Oct. 9 at Bulldog Bowl. Each drill or song has many moves, and the difficulty of playing music beautifully from memory as well as marching a spot is very high.
The first home football game is Aug. 31 against Lovington. The AHS band would like to invite all parents, fans and the community to their traditional performance preview at 7 p.m. today at Bulldog Bowl. Admission is free.
The AHS band is directed by Dillon, assisted by Lisa Dillon and Donna O’Bryant.
