Schools

7 Days of Marching Band Camp: Recap of Ferndale Golden Eagles' Time at Interlochen

Ferndale Patch blogger Stacey Jamison takes readers through the drills and traditions that have grown throughout the years.

One of the first things that is mentioned when discussing the is the fact that the band won six state championships in the last seven years. That's a great accolade for the kids involved, the instructors that teach them, the parents who help and the district as a whole. It's something to hang a hat on. Beyond that, the marching band is a group of kids dedicated to doing their best, a handful of teachers dedicated to doing their best, and a bunch of parents who are supporting these kids in any way they can.

This summer, as they do every summer, the marching band went to Interlochen, MI, for a seven-day band camp. Members practiced this year's performance, learned about each other and participated in traditions that make the marching band experience a special one.

This year, Ferndale Patch readers got some insight into what the kids do at Interlochen. Ferndale Patch blogger Stacey Jamison, who is the wife of band director Elon Jamison, wrote each day of band camp, explaining the drills, discussing the traditions and even mentioning what they kids were eating for lunch. It was a great series that ended last week. We thought we'd bring it back for one more day, just in case you missed it.

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The kids arrive to Interlochen despite a broken down bus.

Camp started on Day 2 at 6:15 a.m. The day ended with the seniors of the band having their traditional senior fire.

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Day 3 rehearsals continue. The kids get further into the performance and then there's an annual scavenger hunt that everyone looks forward to.

Stacey Jamison wrote that Day 4 is the hardest day of camp. The kids' muscles ache from the long hours, there is soreness, a few injuries, maybe a sickness or two, but everyone stays focused and motivated.

More work and pizza from outside the camp! It may not seem like a big deal, but at Interlochen, it is.

Let's not forget that for the seniors, this is their last band camp, last year of band and the last year before they start their adult life. In short, it's a big deal. For the seniors, there were waterworks.

Band camp is important to learn the new performance, practice, work on what needs to be worked on. But what band camp has come to symbolize, beyond just hitting your marks and notes, is the bond, friendship and, ultimately, family of the Ferndale Golden Eagles High School Marching Band.

 




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