Most Tyrone students are aware of the amount of time and dedication it takes to be a member of the football team, basketball team, or any of the other outstanding sports programs at TAHS.

What many students don’t know is that the Tyrone Marching Band also puts in as many hours, if not more, than most varsity sports.

“I have had many football parents say that they practice more than the football team,” said band parent Mike Wilson, “Performing at all the football games on Friday nights, then back out in the parking lot bright and early at 7:30 am Saturday morning for three more hours of practice before loading a bus and traveling to their competition, sometimes 2 to 2-1/2 hours away and not getting back until midnight or after.”

The band began their season during the last week of July and did not finish until late October. They spent over 100 hours during the two weeks of band camp learning their 2017 production “Journey Of Man.” After camp, the band rehearsed for at least six hours a week outside of school. Throughout the entire season, the band spent over 210 hours in rehearsals.

Each weekend they were off to another band competition, which might last anywhere from two and twelve hours, depending on the location and number of bands performing.

“It takes a lot of dedication. It requires a lot of time and hard work but it’s worth it and a lot of fun,” said Tyrone’s band director David Hock.

The 2017 marching band was the first band in years to complete their show drill on the field and the memorization of their show music by the end of band camp.

The band practiced in harsh weather throughout the season and never gave up on their weekly goals.

By the first football game, the band was prepared to perform their entire show production and the band continued to perfect the production throughout the season. The band performed at every regular season game to prepare themselves and to build confidence for the competition season.

The band’s first competitive show was on September, 16th, 2017 at St. Mary’s High School. The band placed first with a score of 81.045 which is a pretty good score to start the season with such a high score.

The band continued their success continuing onto the remaining shows where they eventually scored above a 90 and into the 91 range on two occasions at the Chapter 11 Championships at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Coast Championship Series at Central Dauphin Middle School.

“This season has been the best I have ever been a part of out of the five years that I have been a part of. I believe that this year’s group was an amazing group of kids and I hope that the band will grow in the future,” said senior Derek Wilson.

The 2017 marching band was one of the hardest working bands that band director David Hock has directed at Tyrone. The band has worked hard this season and the hope to accomplish much more in the near future.

Senior Rachel Robison was one of the students that dedicated much of her fall to the band, and for her, it was definitely worth the effort.

“Music is a way of expression. Therefore we need it,” said Robison.