Black Knight Marching Band summer camp very successful

The Farmington High School Black Knight Marching Band held their annual summer marching band camp from July 23 through Aug. 4.

The band practiced from 8-11:30 a.m., and then again from 1-3 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. By the end of their camp, the band accumulated over 60 hours of rehearsal.

This year’s 94-member band enjoyed the cooler than normal Missouri weather. Staff members for this year’s camp included a number of FHS alumni. Jayson Johnson, Megan Johnson, and Mary Jo Miller assisted with the color guard.

Loren Berry and Claire Huck worked with marching and music with the instrumentalists. Other staff members include Ron Farrow, who teaches at Lincoln Intermediate, and is the percussion instructor for the band.

Kurt Bauche and Linda Huck are the directors for the band. Attendance at this year’s camp averaged more than 90 percent for all rehearsals.

“This shows a tremendous commitment from band members and their parents, who have to get them here,” said Director of Bands Kurt Bauche. “When school begins, the band will rehearse at 7 a.m. and during the first period of school daily. Another big success for the camp was the large number of parents who donated food for the instructional staff, food for the annual watermelon roast, and assisted in fitting uniforms on the students,” says Bauche.

The Black Knight Band will be performing for all of the Varsity Knights home football games this coming fall semester. The band will also attend a number of local and regional competitions, including the 10th annual Farmington Marching Invitational which will be hosted by the Farmington Band Boosters on Sept. 22.