Last Sunday, a hot September day, the proud members of the DHS Marching Band practiced continuously under the scorching sun, trying to perfect each move, strategically working together to prepare for the next show.With a show title of "Gifts," the band begins yet another season,striving to achieve another monumental season.

According to percussion director Tom Aungst, the title actually roots itself in one of the sections of the show named “Simple Gifts.”The band will use this concept to in turn show “the gift of music,” and the“gift of performing.”

The band comprises many strong and talented members this year, including a select group of the 15 top musicians in the 8th grade, who were asked to join the high school band.

Each member, including those of the color guard,continues to maintain the high standards that help them retain their reputation as one of the leading marching bands in the nation. With new and exciting performances each year, the band aims to display their continually improving talent.

Last year the band finished first at the United States Scholastic Band Association National Championships in Annapolis, MD,with a score of 98.275. It also received awards for Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Effect, and Best Overall Band.

With a lot to look forward to in this season’s performance, the color guard, the group of dancers and flag twirlers, hopes toadd the extra kick of entertainment. “We do some really awesome things,” said junior Paige Simmons, a member of the color guard.

However, the band doesn’t win any competitions just by luck. "We practice an average of four days a week," said junior flute player Marissa Bolton. "I like how you're one small piece of a huge picture and without you, the whole thing would be ruined. It's a huge team effort. If one person messes up, it looks bad."

“The hardest part is that there are a lot of drill sets and music to memorize,” Mr. Aungst said.

Fortunately for the band, a new sound system was recently purchased to enhance the sound quality of the music. With it the band hopes to trump last year’s performance. Shawna Grillo, one of this year's drum majors,enthusiastically states, "The pit this year is being amplified with microphones,which is cool because we can control the volume even more to make it more musical."

Soloists will also be able to be heard more clearly through the use of the sound system. "It enables us to mic the soloists,which includes a flute player (not usually heard on the marching field since they are so quiet)," Grillo said. "It's actually a long-running joke."

All kidding aside, the band wants to continue to show everyone their endless passion for music.

Simons puts it perfectly. "It's different [this year], because the message is something that is really important to all of us who are participating in marching band. We hope to share it and show others how important music truly is."

The band will be performing its home show on October 10.