IHS Band tunes up for 2009-2010 school year

Barry Byers Posted Italy Gladiator Band
Image: Justin Wood and his tuba are on their way to practice marching — The Gladiator Regiment Band, 8th – 12th graders, has been putting in long hours and long notes this summer in getting ready to fuel Italy High School with a spirited beat.

Justin Wood and his tuba are on their way to practice marching — The Gladiator Regiment Band, 8th – 12th graders, has been putting in long hours and long notes this summer in getting ready to fuel Italy High School with a spirited beat. (Barry Byers)

Under the guidance of Mr. Jesus Perez, the Gladiator Regiment Band began its summer workouts on August 4. Mr. Perez is relying on his two new Drum Majorettes, Jessica Hernandez and Molly Haight, to help get the IHS band members marching tall and looking sharp.

The drills are demanding, requiring dedication and focus. It will all be worth it, however, when the IHS Band blows the other bands off the field during halftime at the football games.

To celebrate all of their hardwork and to promote band unity, the band members participated in a lock-in where they slept overnight inside the band hall on Thursday night.

Playing games, hanging out and snacking all night long as a group is a great way for the members to get comfortable with one another. Nothing says we are on the same team like PJs and sleeping bags.

The band will be performing on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. in a community concert to show off their new 2009-2010 sound.

The base drum, along with the percussion section, has always represented the pulse of the Gladiator spirit and this year it will be pounding stronger than ever.

The Gladiator cape will sway in the breeze thanks to the wind instruments and Flag Corps as the string section plots Italy’s next move.

And with every block and swing from the Gladiator shield and sword, the horns will sound, and the Gladiator Regiment Band will play on.

Go Band!