By Breanna Kixmiller

The Atlantic Trojan Guard has shifted their thoughts away from marching and is now looking ahead to the concert and jazz band season.  Students have been busy adjusting to the changes of the past few weeks.

The Trojan Guard started the year with 54 instrumentalists and a six member color guard. The band worked every school day to improve their show and become a better band.  After performing at three competitions, the Guard received a II rating at the State Marching Band Festival.  The band “didn’t get the result we wanted,” said Jarrod O’Donnell, the high school band director.  O’Donnell went on to say that the band should be proud of how they performed and that next year, the band will make sure everyone is on the same page for “one unified look.”

Before the 2013 marching season, O’Donnell will fill the roles of drum majors, section leaders, general band members, and color guard.  Mark Jacobsen, a former drum major (AHS 2010), said that drum majors are the leaders and role models of the band.  They should show “Pride, Discipline, Courtesy, and Respect,” which are the four principles of the Trojan Guard.

Tiffany Brauckman, a senior piccolo section leader, said section leaders help teach marching and music, solve problems, and make sure the group has fun.  Band members play and march, but also try to work as a group and make the show musical.  The color guard adds a more visual element to the show by incorporating flags, costumes, and various props.

Once the marching season came to an end, the band practiced pep band for one week.  The week combined the “loudness of marching band and being inside for concert band,” said O’Donnell.  Rehearsals consisted of practicing the songs to play during the upcoming basketball season.  Members also auditioned for jazz band and their chair placements for concert band.

After the week of pep band concluded, the instrumentalists began working on their concert music.  The band is preparing four pieces for the upcoming holiday concert on Dec. 10. Freshman saxaphone player Andrew Rothfusz said the transition from marching band to concert band was “So far so good.” His favorite part was learning that there weren’t early practices.  “I hate morning rehearsals!” said Rothfusz.

In addition to concert band, many members are also active in jazz band.  There are two different ensembles: Jazz I and Jazz II.  Jazz I is for members who auditioned and were chosen, while Jazz II is for any member that wants to participate.  Matt Iekel, the pianist for the Jazz 1 ensemble, said, “We have a lot higher potential and we should be able to compete at a higher level than past years.”

Former band member Jacobsen encouraged any interested students to consider joining band. He said that it’s fun if you get involved, it is a good challenge, and it helps to improve you as a musician and a leader.  As freshmen Rothfusz said, “It’s fun!”

More information about the AHS band program can be found on their web page.