Breckenridge High School Band prepares for school year

High school football boys and volleyball girls are not the only ones getting ready for two-a-day practices on Aug. 1 each year. 

While football and volleyball dominate much of the attention regarding extracurricular activities, the Breckenridge High School Band has already been practicing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. since July 24.

Breckenridge ISD Band Director Dane Richardson and his new assistant, Joseph Firenza, use this time to work with the music for the different sections of the band such as woodwinds, percussion and brass. They then come together at the end of the day for two hours and work on the band as a whole. 

This allows athletes to get the needed practice in with their section of the band before they pursue their dual roles as athletes. 

Additionally, band members have two-hour marching practice in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Richardson said it was more important to get an early start this year particularly because the band has an opportunity to play for the half-time of the first Cisco College football game on Saturday, Aug. 26, since the Cisco College Band would have barely have a chance to meet by then.

The band will continue practice on July 31 through  Aug. 16 for just three days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. When school begins Aug. 17, the band will revert to their Monday evening scheduled practices from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.