CT/E.L. HUBBARD

The Pride of LaSalle works on its "Scores of Conflict" show, which they will perform at several Mid-States competitions in Ohio this fall. Students from Mcauley and Mother of Mercy high schools are also part of the band.

Hey, what’s the football team doing on the band’s field?

ARCHDIOCESE — As summer draws to an end and high school football games dominate Friday nights, we pause for a moment of praise for the half-time show: the marching bands, who have practiced as many as 12 hours daily during the heat of summer — often carrying heavy equipment — in order to help showcase the school’s athletic teams.

Our intrepid photographers, E.L. Hubbard and Tony Tribble, went to band camp with some of our local Catholic high schools to capture the blood, sweat, spit and tears that go into preparing for marching season.

Under the leadership of band and music directors, schools such as Elder, LaSalle, Fenwick, Badin, Roger Bacon, McNicholas and Alter will not only perform at football games, but will also compete on the state and national level.

CT/E.L. HUBBARD

The color guard of McNicholas High School’s Rocket Marching Band shows its true colors.

CT/E.L. HUBBARD

Badin High School’s band director, Michael Moore, top right, joins with the band as they pray at the close of the day’s practice during band camp. Badin takes part in Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) competitions throughout the year and last year won "Best Percussion" in Cincinnati’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

CT/TONY TRIBBLE

The Spirit of Elder’s drumline practices its "Latin Explosion" show. Elder takes part in OMEA and Mid-States band competitions, as well as performing at football games and other school events. Students from Seton High School are also members of the band.