“My favorite memory from band is going on gas station runs for lunch during band camp with all of my friends. It was really funny when we were all dressed up in weird outfits for spirit week and just showed up to the gas station,” said sophomore Alexa Appleby.

The Walsh Jesuit Warrior Crops is under the direction of Mr. Nick Ratay along with Assistant Director Mike Taylor. Mr. Ratay is in his second year of teaching at Walsh Jesuit after completing his student teaching at Revere Middle School.

Mr. Ratay is a huge fan of Elton John and chose the music for this year’s show after seeing him live in concert. Songs include “Crocodile Rock,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “I’m Still Standing,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).”

The marching band started rehearsal in early July. Some sections, like percussion and color guard, had to come in a week before the rest of the group to make sure that the show turned out flawlessly. To do this, color guard practiced routines to recordings of the selected songs while percussion worked through the songs and established tempo.

For the next two weeks, the rest of the musicians joined band camp for six-hour days, starting with an icebreaker in the morning, followed by memorizing formations and learning music. To fully learn the show, Corps members learn where the formations line up with specific sections of the music and practice it over and over.

This is followed by an hour-long lunch break when students are allowed to leave to get food. After lunch, the different music groups break up into sections to learn individual parts. Sophomore Rayna Rippey said her favorite part of band is her section, low brass. She really likes how close everyone is within sections. The day ends with a brief full band rehearsal inside reviewing music.

“I can’t imagine my life if I didn’t do this. I have found the best friends ever,” remarked Drum Major Ava Weekly, a junior. Ava will really miss the seniors next year as she loves to spend time with them at games.

Seniors Benjamin Ralph, Sydney Borges, and Mars Schrag picked the songs for this year’s Senior Show: “You Belong with Me” by Taylor Swift, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, and “99 Red Balloons” by Nena.

Benjamin, another drum major, reflected on his time in the Warrior Corps and said his favorite memory is “going to TGI Friday’s for the first time after a game last year and making it a tradition.” Now, Corps members, go there after every home game.

Upcoming events for the Warrior Corps include a concert in the dome on Wednesday, November 1, at 7 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. On November 3, the group will take a field trip to Columbus where the Ohio State Marching Band will perform the songs they played this year.

Mr. Ratay said, “Anyone is welcome to join the Warrior Corps regardless of skill level and experience. We are a very fun and close group and are always looking for new members.”