CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Morning practices have started for CCISD Band Students and that means long, hot days.
"You got to have the cardiovascular endurance to run a seven-minute show, you'cw got to have that muscular endurance to hold your horn the entire time," said Luis Rojas, a junior drum major at Ray High School. "It's demanding, but this is why we have these summer band practices, to get everyone used to it,"
Hydration is the number one priority when it comes to band practice. The performers get a 15-minute water break every 45 minutes.
"We don't keep them on the field if they're not feeling up to it," Moody High School band director Jose Villarreal said. "That way, we can just help them and take care of their health,"
Such work is demanding, preparing them like athletes at their schools.
"We work hard in the hot sun, just as much as any of the sports like soccer, football," said Bailey Priour, senior drum major at Ray High School. "We need to make sure that everyone is in shape."
When days get too hot, the instructors move their practices indoors. Though marching band is a physically and mentally demanding activity, the students notify someone when they need help. It seems they also know what they're getting into when summer practices begin.
"When it gets hot, well, too bad," said Cassandra Lopez, a senior drum major at Moody High School. "That's all I have to say about it."
