Marching along

Lori Hammelman
Posted 7/31/17

“Everybody moves at the same time — you are a unit,” instructed Bart Pillen, speaking to over 100 students at Rochelle Township High School’s band camp early Monday.

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Marching along

Posted

ROCHELLE — “Everybody moves at the same time — you are a unit,” instructed Bart Pillen, speaking to over 100 students at Rochelle Township High School’s band camp early Monday.

Pillen was directing students through marching drills complete with proper stepping techniques, emphasizing the importance of uniformity in the group.

RTHS Music Director Ron Duval said he along with Pillen, Pam Wachowski, and Paul Madere teach the students during the weeklong camp.

“The camp helps to build uniformity…everyone acts as a unit and it instills showmanship,” said Ron Duval, RTHS music director. “The freshmen students learn what has been established for years. During the camp the students learn the music and drills together along with the sets and the formation.”

Following the camp, the students will give a preview performance on Friday evening at 6:30 in the RTHS stadium to family and friends. The band will perform to the music of Elvis Presley.

“This is my 34th year with band camp,” Duval said. “When I came here in 1984 all of this was organized and established already. Each year I have a former student return to help with the camp too.”

Duval said the students typically practice outside in the mornings, then head indoors for music practice with late afternoon outside again.