Preseason is a time of excitement, hard work, and camaraderie for all its members, but ask any freshman or senior, and you'll quickly realize that their perspectives on this crucial period couldn't be more different.
For the eager freshmen, preseason is the gateway to a new adventure. They arrive on campus wide-eyed, filled with anticipation, and often with a touch of nervousness. For many, this marks the realization of a lifelong dream, making the Spartan Marching Band a defining aspect of their college experience. For freshman baritone Ben Beemer, becoming a member of the SMB has been a childhood dream. His parents met in the band, and from a young age aspired to follow in their footsteps. Beemer reflected on his memories and shared, “We would watch the band march into the stadium, and I thought to myself, this is what I want to do one day, I want to be just like them. They talk about all their stories and memories, and I want to make memories and stories of my own.”
From the first day of preseason, freshmen dive headfirst into learning the traditions, routines, and drills that will define their Spartan Band journey. They find inspiration in the experienced seniors who exude confidence and expertise, serving as role models. Freshman trumpet Clark Neuwirth describes how senior leaders have impacted his preseason experience. “I'm in the marching band because of the great energy and environment. The leaders are what make that happen, and it just feels good to be in the marching band”.
On the flip side, seniors approach preseason with a poignant mix of emotions. For them, it's not just another beginning, but a farewell tour.
Seniors bring a wealth of experience to preseason mentoring newcomers, yet, they're also acutely aware of the fleeting nature of their time in the band. Each practice and performance becomes a cherished memory, and the community among seniors deepens as they bond over shared experiences and memories with individuals in the SMB. When asking senior trombone Braden Gregory why he initially wanted to be in the SMB, he shared, “I chose to be in the band because I love music... I’m here for the music and stay for the people.”
Despite these differing perspectives, what unites freshmen and seniors during preseason is their shared commitment to excellence and their ability to persevere through challenges. Senior trumpet Konnor Wicke shared that during preseason, “You have to have grit. You have to come out and keep a steady mindset - just know that anything can be thrown at you. Be resilient and go after it”. Freshmen feed off of the seniors' dedication and tenacity, while seniors find inspiration in the enthusiasm and energy of the newcomers. This mutual admiration creates a sense of unity within the band, blurring the line between freshmen and upperclassmen.
Preseason is not just about mastering formations and music; it's also a journey of personal growth. Freshmen learn discipline, time management, and teamwork, skills that will serve them well in their college years and beyond. Seniors, on the other hand, gain invaluable leadership experience, learning to guide and inspire their fellow band members.
As another preseason comes and goes, the differences between freshmen and seniors fade as the SMB prepares to take the field this Friday. The heart-pounding excitement of stepping onto the field for the first game unites new and existing SMB members creating a unique bond across all years in the band.
