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Reaching Full Potential in The Golden Eagles Marching Band

The Ferndale High School Marching Band is working hard in preparation for this year's competitive season.

The sounds of the practicing can be heard blocks away from the high school. While the tunes may get a bit repetitious, it is a true sign that practice makes perfect. The marching band has won six state championships within the last seven years – a feat the band hopes to continue this season.

Every year, the band chooses a theme to perform in each of their competitions. This season, the band will be playing music within the idea of (No) Strings Attached. The concept came to bandleaders about two years ago.

“When we thought of the idea of (No) Strings Attached, I didn’t think the band was quite ready for that type of a show,” said band director Elon Jaminson. “We didn’t know exactly how to fulfill the concept. Plus, trying to communicate that message to the audience without the use of words is going to be a difficult task. We needed to prepare the students and get them ready for the challenge.”

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Jamison said the concept is a representation of having no commitment and not being tied down. However, he understands that life sometimes requires that type of attachment, thus the parenthesis around the word no. The show will start with the majority of the marching band being physically bound to one another with retractable belts, much like the line barriers found in theaters and concert halls. As the show progresses, band members will slowly be freed from their constraints.

In preparation for this year’s season, the band practices regularly. The color guard, which is made up of flags and fake wooden rifles, and the pit, which includes the stationary instruments like the xylophone, began practice in May. The other members of the marching band started rehearsals in June. Throughout the summer, the band meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, for a total of six hours each week. During the school year, students are also expected to attend Friday night football games as well as competitions on Saturday.

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“We understand that there’s a lot of hard work required of us,” said Jon Kelly, a member of the marching band. “We’re serious when we need to be because we know that in the end, we’ll have a good time and we’ll do well because of everything we put in to it."

Jaminson works hard to keep practices as positive and uplifting as possible.

“2006 is a year that I remind myself of frequently,” said Jaminson. “Myself and other leaders in this band found ourselves in a state of negativity. Even though the band was doing well, we were concentrating on the bad aspects of our performances and practices. It’s important for me to remember that we can be a really good band but enjoy ourselves at the same time. We work very hard to instill that in to the students and it has really resulted in a better band.”

In addition to their regular practices, the band is currently attending a vigorous week of band camp. The 124 member band and several staff members have packed up and are staying at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, which is located about 30 minutes southwest of Traverse City. The seven-day stay will include five full days of practice. Nine hours of each day is dedicated to memorizing music and learning drill. The drill is the formations created as the marchers move from place to place.

Each section of the band has a staff member to assist in their learning process. The band also has a large team of parents helping with fundraisers, preparation for band camp, in addition to several other tasks.

"We have dozens of people helping us with everything we do," said Stacey Jaminson, the director's wife, who helps the band with a variety of things. "We really couldn't do it without them." (Stacey Jamison also writes a blog for Ferndale Patch about the Ferndale Golden Eagles Marching Band. Her blog can be viewed .)

Students in the marching band get no course credit for their involvement in practices and shows. Every rehearsal is done outside of school hours. If students are a part of the marching band for two or more years, their physical education requirement is waived and they earn a varsity letter. For most members, being a part of the group is about the music and friendship.

“Who likes music? Everyone likes music,” said Brandon Thomas, a senior member of the band. “These people make me feel like I’m part of an enormous family. We work really hard, play some great music and always have a good time.”

Elon Jaminson is hopeful that the marching band will bring home another state championship this year. However, he feels that it’s very important not to get hung up on the numbers.

“Coming home with that trophy is a great experience, I understand that. But to me, the winning part isn’t our top priority,” he said. “This band has had great success, but we need to keep pushing ourselves to reach the full potential of every individual on that field. And most of all, we need to make sure we’re having a good time while we do it.”

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