Just like football players and other athletes, members of a marching band need to get in shape for the season, coordinating their footwork routines and building up their stamina in the summer heat.
About 44 members of the 2025-2026 Mathews High School Marching Band, under the direction of Mark Givens, have been hitting the field with a full band camp beginning last week in preparation for a season of halftime performances on the football field, three competitions, taking part in Mathews Market Days, assessments in October, and other activities.
“The rookies have come along really well,” said drum major Jordan Sadeg. “The music sounded really good.” Sadeg is part of the student leadership of the group, along with field commanders Toby Eskins and Bella Hockenberry. Eskins is a rising senior, Sadeg a rising junior and Hockenberry will begin her sophomore year at MHS this fall.
Givens said that the band does field work for a couple of hours each morning, before retreating to the MHS band c...