CCA’S 2024 MARCHING BAND SHOW: "COMING HOME"

MARCHING BAND DURING EARLY MORNING PRACTICE; PHOTO BY ELLA STINEMAN

The Clear Creek Amana 2024 marching show “Coming Home” is here now! Just yesterday, it felt like we were on summer break, with temperatures of 90+ degrees, and we were finding all the ways to try to stay cool. But the reality is that summer break is over, and school is in. The temperatures are starting to drop, and autumn is in the air.

Early August marked the beginning of marching band pre-season. The first week consisted of six-hour days where the band worked very hard learning the new music. The weeks that followed were filled with four hours of rehearsal a week, till the starting of school. Now, the band continues to work by having one hour of band practice four to five times a week, some of them being in the early morning. There have been many changes made in the school this year, but as Clear Creek Amana High School Band Director Chris Copeland said, “The students have done such a wonderful job adapting and consistently giving their best effort.”

The theme “Coming Home” tells a story of the journey back home. When the show begins, the band runs around trying to escape this random city. Their sadness and homesickness are portrayed by the song, “New World Symphony” by Antonín Dvořák. As the show progresses, the band finds their way around this city. With this, they now know how they are going to get home. Their excitement is enhanced by the song, “Fly Away” by Lenny Kravitz. Finally, the band has gotten home, and they are filled with comfort and happiness. This is shown by the very well-known classic, “Country Roads” by John Denver. The marching band does a beautiful job playing all the music in the show but by popular vote the song, “Fly Away” is their favorite.

Overall, this year is looking to be very exciting with tons of new and fun additions. Clear Creek Amana Drum Major James Cavanary is looking forward to “getting to see the creativity other schools have, reuniting with old friends, and making new ones along the way.” Well that's a wrap, and good luck to the Clear Creek Marching Band as they approach their first competition of this year!