The marching band has been preparing its show, About Love, for Saturday’s Central States Marching Band Festival after competing in freezing rain in 2018.

Forty-three marching bands will perform at Kansas State University for seven specialized judges. Bands are judged on repertoire, performance, coordination, auxiliaries and musical aspects and rated from one to five, one being the highest possible score.

“I personally love the show — there’s been a few moments that were sketchy (to learn), but we got the hang of it (because) our work ethic is way better this year,” senior trumpet player Adam Schmidt wrote in an email.

About Love — a composition by Jason Jord — is a story of love containing both elements of Tchaikovsky and ’80’s ballads.

“The thing that sets this year apart from previous years is that we understand the show a bit more and we are able to convey the ‘story of love,’ and that creates a much better performance for us,” Schmidt said.

Even with many positive notes, there are still concerns throughout the band.

“This year, I feel like some of the new people didn’t realize how hard marching band would be,” sophomore flautist Amanda Slagle said. “I know all of my sets, and I feel like I care more about the form than (others).”

Schmidt agreed.

“Our band is definitely not as prepared for this weekend like we have been (in) previous years, but that’s also because we started a week late and the first festival is a week earlier,” Schmidt said.

But the annual Band Day and weekly Monday rehearsals have set the stage for a complete performance of the show.

“(With) band day and Monday nights, we’re not as tired as we are in the mornings and it helps get things done,” Slagle said.

Freshman percussionist Addison Coppins added: “I don’t have the third act’s drill completely down, (but) we got a lot of reps done.”

Schmidt, who is a soloist in the show, advises band members to not let their nerves get the best of them. 

“We just need to not worry about it and perform (the best) we can,” Schmidt said. “… I would (also) tell someone who is starting a solo just to slow it down and breathe and not to stress (too) hard about it.”