MARCHING BAND TUNES UP FOR SEASON

When the Jackson High School Marching Band takes the field at halftime during the Jackson Indian's Sept. 9 home opener against Dexter, it will be their first marching appearance of the season but the songs they play and the formations in which the march will be the culmination of a great deal of work.

Director Nick Leist said the marching band's 130 members completed a week-long marching band camp in early August which consisted of marching as well as instrumental practice.

The band now practices for one-hour each day during the week in preparation for the marching season, said Leist, who is assisted by Jackson band instructors Pat Schwent and Scott Vangilder.

In addition to football games, the band has been brushing up its routines for the upcoming Southeast Missouri Central Division Marching Band Association Marching Festival.

Jackson High School hosts the annual festival, which was founded in 1944 by Jackson band director Leroy Mason.

The festival was such a success, it was eventually split into two festival, for the north and south regions of the association.

Mason's festival has now been expanded to comprise four festivals in the region, with the Central Division event held at Jackson. Each festivals hosts between 12 and 25 bands.

This year's festival, the 50th to take place at Jackson High, is set to take place Oct. 4. Leist said the Jackson event, and the others throughout the Bootheel, are non-competitive festivals, meant only to showcase the talents of the participating bands.

In addition to these events, Leist said his band may also be seen while playing in any number of parades held in the area.

He said the band has a playlist of about 30 songs and comprises of sophomore, junior and senior class musicians.