Summer always seems to fly by, but especially so if you’re a band student. This year, band camp was in full swing by July 23, and the band hasn’t slowed down since.

”Marching band requires hours upon hours of extra work outside of the school year to make our show great. Everyone in the program shows up way before school starts to get ready for the year,” explains Gentry Lamberth, one of the Drum Majors. “Our summer vacation ends around late July, and band camp begins. We usually rehearse eight hours a day, for two to three weeks. During that time we work on fundamental skills we need to build the foundation of our season. Sometimes it can be rough to be out on the parking lot exercising and marching in the hottest part of the year, but band camp is where some of the closest friends and the best memories are made.”

With after school rehearsals nearly every day, weekend rehearsals, extra sectionals, and even working outside during band class periods, the band is hard at work putting together several things for the 2018 marching and football seasons.

As a result of the tenth anniversary of Timber Creek being this year, the band has changed up their spirit show to include some special sets to honor the school. The band will perform the spirit show before the games start, and will perform their varsity show during half time.

“In the 10 years the school has been open, it’s crazy to see the immense growth it has been through,” senior band member Paige Greene said. “I remember seeing the band when my sister went here several years ago, and I think it is fitting that we honor the changes that have been made throughout the school.”

In addition to the spirit show, the band also creates a competition show. This year, the band will have an opportunity to make the state marching contest in San Antonio. As the band improves every year, they are determined to excel during this season. The competition show, entitled From the Ground Up encompasses much more meaning to the band, especially the senior class, than telling the story of flowers starting at nothing and growing into something beautiful.

Since the 2015 marching season, the band has made giant leaps and bounds each year that has truly shown the growth of the program. Competing at their first Bands of America contest in 2015, they placed twenty-third. Last year, they made finals for the first time at the same contest, and finished tenth overall.

“The band has seen tremendous growth since my freshman year,” explains senior flute section leader, Erin Obregon. “It has been an honor to see this program transform into something I would have never imagined it to be just four years ago. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of building this program, quite literally, from the ground up.”

On Saturday, Aug. 25, the band hosted their annual preview night at the Timber Creek stadium from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There, the band debuted their spirit show, the competition show From the Ground Up, and gave the audience a behind the scenes look at what goes into a band rehearsal.

Here is a list of all the dates one can see the band perform this season:

Saturday, Aug. 25 – Falcon Preview Night (7:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Aug. 30 – Game #1 (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, Sept. 7 –  Game #2 (7:00 p.m)

Friday, Sept. 14 – Game #3 (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 22 – Bands of America Midland (TBD)

Thursday, Sept. 27 – Game #4 (7:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Keller ISD Marching Expo (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, Oct. 5 – Game #5 (7:00)

Saturday, Oct. 6 – Bands of America DFW (TBD)

Thursday, Oct. 11 – Game #6 (7:00 p.m.)

Monday, Oct. 15 – Homecoming Parade (5:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Oct. 16 – UIL Region 2 Marching Contest (5:00 p.m.)

Thursday, Oct. 18 – Game #7 (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, Oct. 26 – Game #8 (7:00 p.m.)

Saturday, Oct. 27 – UIL Area Marching Contest (TBD)

Friday, Nov. 2 – Game #9 (7:00 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 3 – Bands of America San Antonio (TBD)

Monday, Nov. 5 through Tuesday, Nov. 6 – UIL State Marching Contest (TBD)

Friday, Nov. 9 – Game #10 (7:00 p.m.)

View photos from the 2017 Marching Season: