TWIRL, TOSS, SPIN, KICK -- AND SMILE: STUDENTS LEARN THE ROPES AT SUMMER MARCHING AUXILIARY BAND CAMP

Jackson High School baton twirlers Julie Litzelfelner, right, Kristin Miller, left, and Jamie Dost worked together on a routine at the marching band auxiliary camp.

A group of four students twisted, flipped and tossed their white wooden rifles, imitating an instructor as he showed them the first eight counts of a new routine Monday morning.

"One, two -- over the wrist.

"Three, four -- twirl.

"Five, six -- behind the back.

"Seven, eight -- hold."

More than 165 high school and junior high school students from 30 schools in Missouri and Illinois attended the summer Marching Auxiliary Band Camp sponsored by Marching Auxiliaries of America. The camp, which began Sunday and ends today, was held in the Show Me Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Seventeen band auxiliary instructors from Texas created and demonstrated new routines for the drum majors, majorettes, baton twirlers, dancers and flag and rifle corps members in preparation for the fall marching season.

Although the camp focuses on new routines, it stresses numerous objectives, said Andi Nadicksbernd, camp director.

"The camp is here to help students become proficient on their piece of equipment, improve their self-esteem, learn to work as a team, become leaders and build confidence" she said.

Si'aon Sims, an instructor, points to positive reinforcement as the camp's main goal. This includes trust, respect, friendship and responsibility, he said.

"When all the students are here, they have no choice other than to learn respect for each other because they are all doing the same thing," he said. "So if someone messes up over here or drops a flag over there, we have to realize that we are all equal, we are all human, we all make mistakes and we all go on."

Students are divided into levels of difficulty to learn new routines within their performance area. Levels range from one to five.

One is for beginners and stresses the basic fundamentals like wrist flips and spins. Two adds hand movements, head turns and smiles. Three incorporates more body movements such as swinging hips and kicks, explained Sims who had just demonstrated a level four flag routine.

"Level four focuses on body and equipment control and is for those who are ready to cross the bridge for a challenge," he said. "Level five is the cream of the crop, the fast learners and those who are already on the other side of that bridge."

Sims has made a career out of instructing band auxiliaries, an area which he thinks has become more vital to performing bands.

"Texas A&M used to be the hierarchy when the technical part of band ruled. Now it's more of a visual concentration with big flags and colors," he said. "Marching band has become thematic where band directors are trying to tell a story."

Throughout the Show Me Center, one could hear: "Make your elbows stiff;" "Knees straight when you're doing kicks;" "Come in and up on toes;" and "I want facial -- smiles show showmanship."

One could see rifles being tossed, flags being twirled and batons being dropped.

Kristine Johnson, a drum majorette from Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, admits with a quick shake of the head that she drops the baton. "But eventually you get the hang of it," she said.

Seven baton twirlers from Jackson High School and another from Jackson Junior High use camp as an opportunity to brush up on the basics and look forward to incorporating the latest moves in their performances.

"We can put routines together and practice them on our own, but learning team tricks will help us add spice to our routines," said Jennifer Horst of Jackson.

Camp is also a time for the twirlers to better their strengths and improve their weaknesses.

"Our strength is in our performing styles, which are all the same, but togetherness is a weak point" said Julie Litzelfelner. "Keeping people doing the same thing at the same time is difficult."

Sometimes visually overlooked, drum majors are receiving more attention in band auxiliaries.

This week's camp was the first time Cape Girardeau Central High School senior Gillian McCallister and juniors Dan Groesbeck and Cecilia Kuntz have had the opportunity to work together.

"When we came here, we all had a different style of conducting," Kuntz said.

Now, the three will use the new band cues, conducting style and moves to show off themselves more and uphold their responsibilities to the band, Groesbeck said.

"We have a lot of leadership responsibilities and we are there to serve the band," McCallister said. "We are there to present a united front."