220 students make up Leyden’s Marching Band, which performs at football games, Cedar Point, community events, and even Disneyland.

Marching band is made up of many different types of students. From freshmen to seniors from east and west, and from students involved in sports, the fall show, choir, orchesis, cheer leading, poms, and other activities. They practice and perform all throughout the summer and up until the last football game.

Marching Band is “open to anyone experienced, or not experienced” said department chair and band director Bryan Miller.

The band performs at all the home football games, the town parades, and the pep rally. They travel to Ohio to perform at Cedar Point and also at other various community events.

Recently this summer, the marching band performed for the grand opening of the Fashion Outlet Mall in Rosemont. They also played for the street naming ceremony of a former West Leyden 2008 graduate who joined the marine corps and was killed in action.

Senior and section leader Jullius Figueroa said some of his best experiences on band have been traveling and going to NIU for band camp. He’s also most excited to go to Disney Land.

All these students are very dedicated, the typical class sessions last 3 hours from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

Throughout the summer students attend band camp, where they meet Thursday through Sunday.

“We pretty much have practice all day,” Mr. Miller said. Adding that “we have nice fun things for the kids and have meals catered.”

Yet he’s proud that “each student gives their time, gives their talent, gives their service to the school.”

Students build up a lot of responsibility being in band as they give up much of their free time.

In addition, they have to arrive to practices on time and attend so many events.

Yet, for Figueroa, setting an example as a section leader can be trying at times since you must “always be mature,  you can’t goof off like you could when you were a freshman.”

Marching band consists of instrumental musicians, color guard and now a baton twirler, sophomore Michelle Caffero. She has 12 years of baton twirling experience and is on a baton team outside of school.

“I emailed Mr. Miller to see if i could join,” she said. “I was so nervous the first game.”

Marching Band is open to anyone, even if you have no experience playing an instrument. There are instruments that the instructors can easily teach newcomers.

For more information contact Mr. Miller or visit their website http://www.leydenband.org/