ROCHELLE — During Rochelle Township High School band camp this week, students will learn both the music and the choreography for this year’s 2018 Hub Marching Band show: Salute to our Nation’s Finest.
Band director Ron Duval and 120 members of the band have their work cut out for them as they prepare for Friday night’s sneak preview concert, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival, Creston Booster Parade and of course, their November trip to the nation’s capital to perform in the Veterans Day week Parade of Heroes.
The songs Duval has selected this year are:
The Theme from Patton
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Veteran Salute
Taps
Battle Hymn

Stars and Stripes Forever/76 Trombones
For a preview, visit www.rthsbands.weebly.com where Duval has  recordings for the tunes included in this year’s show.
The show music is “Salute to America’s Finest” as the Hub Marching Band will represent the State of Illinois this November in Washington, D.C., for the 75th Anniversary of WWII and the Parade of Heroes.
“This year’s show is a musical salute to our veterans,” Duval said. “Selections include, The Patton theme, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, A Veterans Salute, Taps, Battle Hymn of the Republic and Stars and Stripes Forever. Craig Harms of Woodland Park, Colo., writes our drill.”
By the end of this week, Duval’s performers will have the basics of both the drill and the music committed to memory for the 12-14 appearances scheduled between August and October.
“We’re very proud of the fact that the marching band displays our fine musicians right from the beginning of the school year. We perform not only in Rochelle and surrounding communities, but also in several other cities and at universities (for marching band competitions),” Duval said.
Duval said since there are more demands made on the student in high school marching band as opposed to junior high marching band. This week’s band camp is essential to developing the new students and maintaining a high quality performing ensemble.
“The more a student can learn in the summer, the less there is to deal with when school starts because when school begins so do extra-curricular activities, not to mention homework. New students will learn skills at camp, that are brand new; skills required as long as they participate in marching band,” he said.
Band camp is a time for concentrated learning and reinforcement of new concepts. It is also a great way for freshmen to get a head start networking and becoming acquainted with their new school.
“The reason they (band) sound and look the way they do is that our students work hard and sacrifice free time to make the band better,” Duval said.
That’s why he strongly encourages members to participate in band camp; so they’re not playing catch up throughout the performance season or compromising those who attended camp.
This week of hard work will culminate in Friday’s Sneak Preview performance at 6:30 p.m. at The RTHS football stadium.
Duval applauds his Band Camp volunteers, too.
“We are always so grateful for the hard work our music boosters do during band camp ie., providing snacks/treats, supplying water, for the “go-for” services between the practice field and the building, measuring/fitting uniforms, preparation of Friday’s picnic — everything.”