Being a part of division one marching band includes having approximately 120 members; 120 members that need to be on the same beat and tempo for a whole seven minute long performance.

Their first competition was Sat. Sept. 24 where they not only placed first in all available categories, but were also given awards for percussion, auxiliary, general effect, visual performance, and music performance. This early success could be credited to the extra weeks they were able to start preparing for this year’s season because of the year-round system Perry follows.

According to junior Jacob Saachs the head start Perry has in relation to other schools will “help us clean our drills so we look nice performing in competition.”

Freshman Logan Ferrera plays the saxophone and has been preparing for competitions by “marching at home,” and “playing an ‘air saxophone.’” His favorite part is “marching for people, and whether or not they’re watching, doesn’t matter as long as you’re having fun with it.”

Saachs said that “a lot of [other bands] are going to be [our] rivals.” However, senior Brandon Hermreck would not call it a rivalry, because “marching band isn’t really a rivalry, all the bands are really friendly to each other,” which creates a welcoming environment for freshmen.

Looking to the future, the most difficult part of their performances will be “being able to execute the show 100% like [they] are in practice,” according to Hermreck, who will be in the third group of students to represent Perry in the All American Marching Band.

As for other potential problems, “We’re not going to be all together at some points,” said Saachs. This can be prevented by what Ferrera refers to as marching “eight to five” which means they’ll take eight steps every five yards.

The marching band also uses “visuals” which they know ahead of time so that they can all be at the same spot during a certain point in the song.

Regardless of the success they have recently experienced and the exciting possibilities the rest of the season holds, the best part of it all is “the bond that everybody has together, we’re all a family especially after four years,” said Hermreck.