Many students in Spring ISD find themselves trying to get their bodies back into the habit of waking up early as the school year approaches. But, for those living near the Dekaney, Spring, or Westfield High Schools, they wake up to the sounds of some dedicated SISD early birds: the marching bands.

All three high schools have started hosting their band camps in preparation for the year, and although schedules vary, all of these students are up by no later than 8 a.m.

“Starting before the school year allows us time to really hone in the proper mechanics of marching and playing,” said John Maldonado, band director at Westfield High School.

His kids have been starting at 7 a.m., drilling marching formations outside in the heat, where water breaks are a must. Marching band requires students to be prepared not only musically, but physically, all while maintaining a high level of attentiveness. That’s why directors emphasize the importance of starting early and getting the necessary musical and endurance conditioning. 

The three bands kick off the year alongside beloved football teams, amping up the packed stadiums by filling the air with music and energy. As the season eventually winds down, they shift their efforts to the various contests and performances that make up the band season, including UIL competitions, sometimes preparing for several performances at once.

The stakes are high, and every individual member is held accountable for the success of the ensemble.

 “In the marching band, nearly 80 to 100-plus members are on the field,” Maldonado said. “And they are all responsible to collectively be on the same page at every given moment, all working towards the same goal.”

For Westfield Band member Melody Flores, what drives her is  knowing that band has given her a space to grow. The 11th-grader admits having been “the typical, shy, quiet and nervous,” middle schooler when she started band in the 6th grade. But, she said her experiences within band and Maldonado (who was the director at Claughton Middle School at the time) have pushed her out of her comfort zone so much so that she’s the current Trumpet Section Leader at Westfield. 

“Now I’m in my sixth year in band, creating more great memories, and working each day to make myself better,” Flores said. 

These sentiments are shared by members of every SISD ensemble and are reflected by their proud directors. Before Maldonado’s decade-long teaching career started with Spring ISD, he was a member of Westfield’s Big Red Band and now feels he’s had a full circle moment.

He reminisced on the “football games, the traveling,  the early contest days, social events, hot afternoons, late nights, the passed-down traditions, the playoff games, and the friendships and the bonds that are created during the season,” that he gets to relive now through his students’ experiences. 

Throughout these iconic and memorable moments, students enrich their high school experiences while learning skills beyond note release and proper embouchure. Responsibility, persistence, and teamwork are imbued in every band member’s mentality, which is why Dr. Joe Clark, director of Performing and Visual Arts, is passionate about the impact these opportunities have on students.

“We set the pace of excellence early in Spring ISD.  Our high school fine arts teams all hit the ground running to build that strong foundation of ‘team’ in everything we do,” Clark said. “We put kids at the center of everything we do in Spring ISD and we give them everything we got.”

All three high school bands have a long, successful history, and Maldonado harbors a great sense of pride knowing and being a part of this legacy. He is always up for the challenge to “return the high-level quality of music education given to me to the new generation of young musicians,” and continue the program far into the future.