SALEM - They stretch before practices, run a lap around the track and complete a set of jumping jacks. They're almost ready for the big day and they're definitely ready to march.
As football season winds down, the Salem High School marching band has spent the past week and a half training for their next event - a chance to march in the Citrus Bowl Parade in Florida.
The 205 band and color guard members found out they were selected to play in the parade one year ago, but it wasn't until last week they began to focus on their new marching routine.
Chris Correia, a sophomore who plays tenor and alto saxophone, said the music isn't the hard part, it's the multitasking that's difficult.
Band director Marty Claussen agreed. He said the students know how to play the music and they know how to march, but combining the two tasks gets tricky. He said the seemingly simple gesture of turning a corner and staying in a straight line took three hours of outdoor practice last week, and students still have not perfected it.
Correia said anybody who tries to play an instrument, keep their eyes on a conductor, and stay in a straight line would struggle for their first few practices.
As football season winds down, the Salem High School marching band has spent the past week and a half training for their next event - a chance to march in the Citrus Bowl Parade in Florida.
The 205 band and color guard members found out they were selected to play in the parade one year ago, but it wasn't until last week they began to focus on their new marching routine.
Chris Correia, a sophomore who plays tenor and alto saxophone, said the music isn't the hard part, it's the multitasking that's difficult.
Band director Marty Claussen agreed. He said the students know how to play the music and they know how to march, but combining the two tasks gets tricky. He said the seemingly simple gesture of turning a corner and staying in a straight line took three hours of outdoor practice last week, and students still have not perfected it.
Correia said anybody who tries to play an instrument, keep their eyes on a conductor, and stay in a straight line would struggle for their first few practices.
"But it's not too hard. You just get used to marching backward on your toes, while trying to keep a professional mentality about you," he said.
Once a week until the group departs, three days after Christmas, they will practice marching to their newest musical selection, "Hey Al." When they play in the parade, they'll also perform two songs they practice at football games, "On Broadway" and "Celebration."
While Claussen is most excited to join the ranks of other good high school bands such as those from Centerville and Trumbull, Ohio, the students are more excited about their chance to shine.
This is the second major marching performance for Kristy Boucher, 17, who went to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona with the Salem High School band two years ago.
Boucher, a flute and piccolo player, is also one of the band's drum majors. She said she's more excited about this trip than she was about the last.
"It didn't even occur to me until recently that I'm going to march on national TV in front of thousands of people as a drum major," she said.
But she's not nervous, and neither are her fellow classmates and musicians.
"It's just another parade. You can't think about how big it is," she said. "If we keep it cool, it makes all the difference."
Correia, the saxophone player, is equally excited. He said it's harder keeping his cool now than it will be during the parade.
During the past few weeks, as the departure date creeps closer, he said he's been trying to keep his mind occupied with school and actors guild so he doesn't get overexcited.
The band will play at the Citrus Bowl and at Magic Kingdom on New Year's Eve. They have four days to enjoy Orlando's theme parks. They will be allowed to ring in the New Year at Magic Kingdom and watch the fireworks display.
And while the whirlwind trip and performance may sound hectic to some, Claussen said he'll enjoy it because it's much more relaxing than past performances. Unlike previous Salem trips, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York and the Fiesta Bowl, no awards are handed out for the best marching band. This trip is solely about learning and fun.
For Correia, the anticipation is already fun.
"It's so exciting," he said. "It's a mix of marching in a parade, being watched by thousands of people and doing it with the closest friends you can have."
