The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
High school marching band goes to camp
TORRINGTON >> The Torrington High School band prepared for the upcoming year Thursday evening, as members gathered for band camp.
Students worked on their marching and playing with both serious and playful intensity, as they split into small groups to practice striding in time, then gathered as a group to play and take a lap around the parking lot.
As the high school’s Director of Instrumental Music Wayne Splettstoeszer looked on, a new group of Torrington youth came together to represent the city.
“They get so much more out of this than music. It’s about teamwork, working together, being proud, working hard — music’s just a vehicle to teach them all those other things,” said Splettstoeszer.
The chance to teach the students was a pleasure, he said.
“I love this. I mean, I love my job,” said Splettstoeszer. “These kids work hard and they represent Torrington. They’re the ones that deserve all the credit. They’re the ones that get the applause; they’re the ones that people come to see. I do it just because I love my job.”
Students, when asked Thursday, shared this enthusiasm for the band, and the camaraderie it had helped bring to their lives.
Drum Major Marissa Chase — also a tuba player — has been a part of the band since she was a sophomore. “I love it. It’s the best. It’s the best thing ever. It beats any sport that I’ve ever played. Everybody here is such a family, and it’s so easy to make friends here,” said Chase. “Being a drum major personally, it’s the best experience I’ve ever had — it’s only my third day, and I love it so much. Watching the kids learn, and being the one to guide them and help them, along with the other seniors in the band, it’s just great to watch them progress.”
Anthony Sidharta, a senior clarinet player, has been in the band since he was a freshman, and has been playing music since the fourth grade.
“This is a great group of people. Top to bottom, there’s no one here that can say ‘I hate every one of these guys,” said Sidharta. “Tuesday nights and band camp, it’s fun to be around these people, and playing music is one way we connect.”
Adriana Khamsawath, a freshman clarinet player, is a newcomer to the band — and has enjoyed her introduction.
“I’m enjoying it really well. It’s actually a pretty good experience, considering that I’m a freshman and everything. They’ve helped me — the seniors — they’ve helped me a lot, and it’s just good,” said Khamsawath.
The band is scheduled to play at all home football games, the Big E, the Bristol Mums Parade, the Southington Apple Harvest Parade, and the Christmas parade in Torrington in the coming year, Splettstoeszer said.
Torrington was named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants in 2016 — the city’s 16th consecutive appearance on the list, according to past reporting.
THS students were recognized for their achievements in the music program last March.