I’m in my sophomore year of high school, and I’ve managed to become pretty popular among my classmates. I play the clarinet in both the marching band and concert band, which is a big deal since our band is massive and proudly competes in class 5A.

The first day of band camp, I arrived earlier than everyone else, my footsteps echoing across the empty parking lot. The practice field was quiet, with the morning air still heavy with dew. I set my bag down near the bleachers and stood at the entrance, ready to greet each familiar face and every new member with a smile. One by one, people began to trickle in, and I felt the excitement build as the day officially began.

Summer is here, and with it comes the start of our intense band camp season. The days are long and hot, filled with early morning warm-ups, learning drill formations, and rehearsing musical pieces under the sun. I’m excited to meet all the incoming freshmen and new members, helping them learn the ropes and watching our band family grow. Band camp is where friendships form, inside jokes are born, and the first notes of our new show come to life.