In the big leagues

Eighth graders, welcome to the big leagues.
This year, four eighth graders were called up to round out the roster in the percussion pit for the Jay County High School Marching Patriots. They came through all the practice, all the competitions and the intensive band camp and, like the freshman class, came to play at the big show before the grandstand during Indiana State Fair Band Day.
“For the first time being involved with the marching experience on the field, they’ve done a really excellent job,” said JCHS band director Kelly Smeltzer, noting that this isn’t the first time that eighth graders have been called up. “Their attitudes have been really positive, they’ve been willing to learn and eager to step up and improve every day. I’m really proud of those kids they’ve done a great job and hopefully they’re excited for the adventure.”
The rookies have seized the opportunity.
“Exciting,” summed up Emily Horn, who plays the vibraphone.
“It felt good,” said Luke Rowles, who plays xylophone and cymbals, about the call up.  “I mean, I always thought I would come in as a high-schooler and they took me as an eighth grader.”
“It’s been pretty fun, doing everything you get to do,” said Chase Fouch, who is playing bass drum, congas and rain stick.
“It’s been pretty fun,” said synthesizer player Payden Schug. “Band camp wasn’t that much fun because it was basically like going up there and dying in the heat every day, but other than that I’ve surely enjoyed it.”
All four joined band at their respective middle schools in sixth grade, but Rowles and Horn and Schug were playing music before then. Rowles has taken music lessons since third grade and Horn and Schug have played piano since third and fourth grade, respectively. Each said they plan to continue in marching band when they become freshmen next year and beyond.
The Marching Patriots have seen some success during this year’s season, including a second place finish in front of the Jay County Fairgrounds grandstand, and each of the eighth graders said they were excited to be a part of it.
“It’s awesome,” Rowles said.
“It’s pretty cool,” Fouch said. “When we got second that one time, I was excited.”
“It’s been pretty exciting,” Schug said. “It’s been pretty cool just seeing how it all comes together at the end of it.”
And outside of the performances, they’ve had a little fun along the way too.
“The drumline jokes … how they always make fun of each other,” Horn said, with a smile recalling it. “Whether it’s sticky hands, how they throw their sticky hands around, their hard hats.”
“The most serious thing is that it’s just a lot of good music to learn and I’ve just really enjoyed that,” Schug said. “But I think the funniest thing I have to remember is in band camp how they doused a kid in the shower with extremely cold water.”
Enjoying experience before high school begins for them, Smeltzer said, is what’s important.
“We hope they enjoy the experience, that’s the main thing,” he said. “I’m sure it’s pretty exciting for them, so we want them to be excited and hopefully they’ll be excited in the future and be with us again next year.”[[In-content Ad]]