In these last few weeks before school starts, most students take only a few hours to get supplies and then go back to thinking about how to spend their last few days of freedom.
Not members of the South Lakes High School marching band.
For the past few weeks, band members have practiced 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. They come back in the late afternoon, at 4 p.m., and practice until 9 p.m. That’s nine hours a day.
While other students are hoping they don’t get dragged to the mall for back-to-school shopping, band members are playing scales and memorizing marching choreography on hot summer days.
The band will preview their hard work at a show for parents at the stadium at South Lakes Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
“We have a great group of kids this year,” said Grayson Fore, director of bands at South Lakes. “I’m excited. We should have a great show.”