Band students enjoy their summer ‘family’

Summer marching band participation means long days and evenings full of tiring, sweaty practices for students, directors and their families, but students say those efforts are worth it.

Here are a few comments from participants at each of Wayne County’s five bands that will appear at Indiana State Fair Band Day on Friday, Aug. 1.

Northeastern

Regan Haynes, a sophomore in her second season with the Damsels color guard, said she loves her teammates, the flair of their neon outfits for the 1980s-themed “Pac-Man” show, and the fun they have.

“People don’t realize how hard it is,” said Haynes, who appreciates all of her supporters. “It’s stressful, but it’s definitely worth it. I love the band – they’re amazing.”

Junior Makiya Johnson has played alto saxophone for two years.

“I enjoy getting to be part of the band family,” Johnson said. “It’s a great community.”

The Marching Knights have 38 members this summer.

Trumpeter Peter Hicks, a senior, said the hard work is worthwhile, and giving his time during the summer isn’t as bad as it might seem to others.

“The show is going amazing,” he said.

Kalib Parsley just started his new job as Northeastern’s director after completing his studies at Ball State University. Parsley, who attended Rushville schools, thanked the band staff for making his transition to a new community easier.

“It worked out – right time, right place,” he said.

Richmond

Director Dan Merkamp said this summer’s show, “Shut Up and Dance,” is going well.

“The idea is to get everybody having a good time – that’s our goal,” Merkamp said.

Tap dancers and musical soloists get to shine, including two saxophonists, a baritone, trombone and flugelhorn.

“They’re really great, hardworking kids,” Merkamp said of his 121 participants. He’s hopeful RHS will remain in the top group this year after finishing fourth in 2024.

Chason Thurston-Perkins, a junior, began playing trombone in sixth grade, but has learned new skills as drum major.

He’s focused on “being able to really lead everybody and make sure they have a good year.”

Thurston-Perkins has made many friends through band, and he believes his experiences will help him toward his goal of attending IU Indianapolis and becoming an emergency medicine physician.

Friendship has been another benefit for Devilette officer Coryanne Puterbaugh, a senior. “This team is so amazing. They really are sisters.”

Puterbaugh is proud of the guard’s third-place caption award last year and said this year’s dancers want to live up to that success.

Principal Rae Ferriell-Woolpy cheered on the Marching Red Devils at Archway Classic and described Merkamp as “fabulous.”

“He’s grown and improved our program tremendously,” she said. “We feel really fortunate to have someone of his caliber at Richmond High School.”

Centerville

Cameron Stiggleman, a senior, has played marimba for six years. Band members’ kindness and respect enhance the Blue Regiment’s culture and make it fun, he said.

Stiggleman has advice for younger students: “Remember your marching band moments because they go by very quickly and are very special.”

Senior AJ Brock, who plays timpani, agreed, as he looks forward to a career in business.

“At first I was excited this was my last year, and then the more I thought about it, I realize how it went so fast, and I’m sad it’s my last year,” Brock said.

Eva Hawk, a senior who enjoys xylophone in summer and snare drum with pep band, said the band environment is welcoming.

“I don’t feel pressured to act like something I’m not,” Hawk said. “Sometimes you worry when you’re joining band, you’re wasting your summer, but it actually makes summer more fun and gives me a purpose in the summer.”

Summer director Emily Arndt said she inherited a really good group of 37 students who understand the Blue Regiment’s legacy.

“They’re hungry, and they expect nothing, and they work for everything they get,” she said.

Hagerstown

The Golden Tiger Band and Tigerettes have grown this summer, thanks to a national conference that was nearly in their backyard.

Seven band leaders, Deyvinni Horner, Mackenzie Bane, Jackson Crawford, Braydon Sanders, Aiden Davis, Connor DeBruler and Lizzy Haskett received scholarships worth about $2,000 each from Music for All to attend the Bands of America Band Camp at Ball State. They were able to play with Carolina Crown, a Drum Corps International band.

Director Kendra Sanders said that camp will be a lifelong memory for those student leaders and help build the program for future years.

The band’s additional members watched a concert and attended a leadership program at the conference.

“It transformed the whole band in a positive way,” Sanders said of their Muncie experience.

The 42 marchers are now focused on presenting “Appalachian Way.”

Senior Jackson Crawford, who plays trumpet, said every year of band has been more enjoyable than the last.

Sophomore Deyvinni Horner, color guard spirit leader, is optimistic the Tigers have a good chance of making the Sweet 16.

“I’m proud of all of us,” she said.

Junior Mackenzie Bane, Tigerettes captain, said they lost a lot of members to graduation, but the younger students are very dedicated. She feels more confident after attending the BOA camp.

“We all want to be there – it’s not just the numbers, it’s who wants to be there and put in the effort,” Bane said.

Lincoln

“The kids have more than risen up and achieved more than I could have ever dreamed of,” said Jake Fost, who’s an arranger and on the winds staff for the Golden Eagles.

The former Northeastern band member is now studying music therapy at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Fost has enjoyed the community feeling and camaraderie of Lincoln’s 15-member band, and appreciates the larger schools that cheer them on.

Senior Jamey Ramsey has played drums for three years. He likes the spirit of community and being able to grow individually and as a group.

“We’re pushing ourselves and working toward making our show better,” Ramsey said.

Senior Caden Ripberger, who plays snare drum, said this year’s “Medusa” show has been more challenging than previous years, but he has enjoyed the music.

The third movement is like a jazzy remix of the first movement, he said, calling it “a really good closer.”

Ripberger said he’s enjoying what’s likely his last summer in band as he plans to become a pipe welding apprentice.