Marching Band is open to both academy and non-academy students, so it is a great opportunity for all musicians in the building. 

Musicianship teacher and band director, Mr. Andrew Smith, is no stranger to the world of music. A man of many talents, he has taken on the role of directing the band for the past four years.

“I have been involved in the marching arts as a performer, technician, and arranger for over 10 years,” said Smith.

Being an active participant in the arts helps Smith guide both Academy and Fine Arts music students.

“Having the VPAA at Salem provides a symbiotic relationship with participation in the Fine Arts,” said Smith. 

Over half the Marching Sundevils are Academy students, and both FA and VPAA can do Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Steel Drums, and multiple small chamber groups. Smith is so proud of his SunDevils and how much work and dedication they put into their art. 

“Cheesy as it may sound, this entire season has been one big spotlight,” said Smith. “Being able to come back and have our pep band/competitive season has been such a blessing, especially after fighting the pandemic this year. The students are working very hard, even when over half the group is brand new to marching band. I am very proud of their hard work, and we still have a few weeks to go!” 

Meet the SunDevil Marching Band leadership

Our current Drum Major is senior Xander Krell.

He has been a part of the marching band since freshman year, and is also the SCA President, a member of the robotics team, and very involved in activities such as Leadership Workshop and Final Four.

Q: What made you want to become a drum major?

Two past drum majors, Grant Minor and April Seminaro. They were great at what they did. 

Q: How has band shaped your high school experience?

It’s given me a lot of connections and also gives me a consistent team to fall back on and a nice consistent routine

Q: What’s your favorite part of band?

My favorite part is after we’ve performed at a competition, being able to be proud of our work, and really get to bond as a band after doing a pretty stressful, but pretty cool thing. I think it’s awesome. 

The rest of the band leadership consists of sophomore Becca Liverman, juniors Abby Russell and Liv Stanton, and seniors Noah Christianson, Madison Dean, Zachary Hornbaker, Elmer Quinn, and VJ Villacruz

Q: What encouraged you to get involved in marching band?

Becca: I had heard about it from my dad, and I just decided on the fly that I was going to go to the interest meeting and now I’m here!

Noah: Some of my friends and older academy students really encouraged me to join and pushed me into finding a way to get involved, which ended up being marching band

Elmer: During freshman year, when Mr. Smith started percussion ensemble, I ended up joining, which brought me to get involved in marching band, and at first I didn’t really like the idea of it, but now I love it.

Zach: I wanted to experience more in music, and when I found out marching band existed when I was a lot younger, I thought it was really cool that they could make shapes and play music at the same time. I used to like watching the Ohio State band perform.

Abby: The sense of community and everything that comes with the marching band really drew me in.

Madison: I did flag team in middle school, and I got to watch my first high school band performance at Tallwood, and it really caught my attention and made me want to join color guard.

VJ: Music has always been a part of my life, and when I heard about marching band in middle school, I knew I wanted to join, so here I am.

Q: Do you feel that marching band has improved your high school experience?

Becca: Definitely. As a sophomore it made me have connections with teachers and students involved in marching band already, so being back now is easier. 

Noah: 100%, it makes it feel a little more worthwhile

Elmer: 100%, it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve made, I was able to meet new people and create new friends, and now I get to interact with kids in my strand and in the fine arts music program.

Zach: It has, it really has, I have been able to make a lot of friends and interact with lots of cool people.

Abby: Yeah, for the most part it’s been a really fun experience!

Madison: yes, definitely, I have made a lot of friends and some great memories.

VJ: Oh always, a majority of my favorite high school memories and experiences have come from band, and I haven’t had one bad memory, I really love it.

Q: What’s your favorite part of band?

Noah: The people, for sure.

Becca: The final product of playing music. Like it really feels great to be able to play music with other musicians, playing alone in your room over covid was just horrible. 

Elmer: Being able to play with people and just be part of an ensemble, like football games and competitions are so fun and having a good time creates a good bond. 

Zach: The music, like being able to learn the music, perform the music, and just play with people.

Abby: It’s really just like a family and I love being able to interact with the people and play with them.

Madison: I love going to competitions and hanging out and bonding with the band on the bus ride there or at competitions.

VJ: Definitely the people, they’re so friendly and I think of them as my second family. 

Thank you Marching SunDevils for all the hard work and dedication you put into your art.