Marching band is not only the people on the field playing instruments. There are many who are needed to make a good show happen. There is the director, the color guard, and newly added to the marching band: a sound crew. Isaac Hatchitt is a senior and is involved in many activities but the band was never one of them. This year, Hatchitt joined the marching band to help with the sound system.
Hatchitt said, “I’m not very musically attuned and knowledgeable.” However, using his experience helping in theater with their sound system, Band Director Russ Braun felt he was a vital addition for the band.
For the marching band’s 2024 show Toxic, Hatchitt and Carter Haaland used the sound system to elevate the band’s performance. Hatchitt took many tasks that previously were done by marchers. Braun said, “A student in the band trying to run it and learn their positions and all of their playing at the same time which has been really a big challenge for the students cause they miss out on quite a bit of instruction while they’re trying to do that.” Hatchitt was able to alleviate another band member of this burden so that they could become a better marcher and player on the field.
Setting up speakers, handing out microphones, and adjusting volumes are just a few of the jobs that Hatchitt was tasked with. Other than preparing for the show, Hatchitt also was in charge of the soundboard to balance our band. This was critical with the ever-changing conditions that affect the sound of the players.
“There is a lot of details and on-the-spot thinking that has to happen there like what’s going on and who’s mic’d, what volume, how to adapt and adjust pretty much on the fly,” Braun said. “And so with somebody there consistently they know exactly what the band is doing they also know when we change stuff that we’re looking for.”
While setting up the show and performance was important, having somebody who was able to be an extra hand to help the band sound the best was crucial for the band to be able to focus on other parts of the show.
Not originally being a member of the band was not a problem but actually a massive benefit. Hatchitt said, “I’ve been learning a lot by just watching and listening and of how things work.” He has enjoyed his time helping the band.
Not just for Hatchitt was it better to have a non-band member help with the sound system but Braun thought it as well.
“I think it’s if you can find the right student who is dedicated and really wants to do well and is driven in that way it can make a huge huge difference. I would vote for a non-band student who has first period open every single time as long as that student knows that this is a large, large responsibility and it can make or break any performance,” Braun said. “If you have that student who is not in band and can be there regularly it is pretty much invaluable to the program.”
While Hatchitt is a senior this year and will not be returning to assist the band, the sound system will not be left unattended. Carter Haaland, a current junior, was another helper to the sound system and Hatchitt. Haaland also previously had not been in the band. Haaland said that he enjoyed helping the band.
Next year Haaland plans to return to help the band as a replacement for Hatchitt. He learned under and with Hatchitt and hopes to learn more and leave his knowledge behind to another student who can replace him when he graduates.
