It takes a lot of heart and soul—not to mention sweat—to be in band, and it all starts with band camp. Contrary to what an outsider may think, band camp is not all about bonding over campfires or playing get-to-know-you games; it's about endurance and following a passion for music.

All 167 students in this year's band spent two weeks together from morning to night Aug.11­23, perfecting their musical skills and conditioning their bodies after more than two months of summer vacation.

The students started their workout bright and early at 9 a.m. with a 20-minute session of stretching exercises to warm up the arm, leg, back and calf muscles for the next exercise—a 15-minute jog. Then they went back to do more stretching exercises, as well as 90 sit-ups (30 going up and 30 to each side) twice each day and 30 push-ups.

"The jog gives the students a good cardiovascular workout. It helps the players build their endurance when they're marching and carrying an instrument at the same time," said Michael Boitz, music director at Saratoga High School. "Players need to be in shape when they have to march at a rate of 180 beats per minute."

Photograph by George Sakkestad Drum Major Roger Tsai orchestrates a band of 167 members at Saratoga High.

"The players have to be on their toes for at least 80 percent of the show. That means they would have to have strong calf muscles," said Justin Gamero, one of the band instructors and Boitz's assistant. "If they're on their heels, they would be thrown off balance since they're carrying a relatively heavy instrument in front of their bodies. Every movement is calculated, as in any other performing art."

Wrapping up the morning exercises, players practice marching basics with and without their instruments and work on drills for approximately 1¹/2 hours, going through sheets of notes.

"The point of marching basics is to learn how to march as if balancing a hot cup of tea on the head while walking from heel to toe," Boitz said. "It's a lot harder than it looks."

For the remainder of the afternoon until a 5 p.m. dinner break, students break into groups and practice their specific parts. After dinner, which is prepared by alternating groups of parents, students come together to combine what they learned throughout the course of the day.

Photograph by George Sakkestad Katrina Capello and her fellow band players engage in some stretching exercises before the actual practice.

"Band is not a casual commitment in any way. This is a work-hard, play-hard atmosphere," Boitz said. "The kids have to really want to be here."

Not even a medical condition is keeping sophomore and class vice president Victoria Lee from being in the band. Lee was diagnosed with bone cancer in the knee when she was in the fourth grade. She was treated and recovered, but her surgery resulted in her not being able to participate in any type of contact sport; even running and jumping can be dangerous for her. However, with band camp, she said she is able to get a relatively good workout with some modifications of the exercises while satisfying her passion for playing the tenor drums.

"I'm still able to work up a pretty good sweat," Lee said. "I don't know what I would do if I weren't in band."

Although the workout itself may cause some players to question their purpose in the band, Lee said she will not be discouraged.

"Deep down we know why we're here," she said. "We all love what we do."

Patrick Nedderson, who also helps Boitz in instructing the band, said there is a good reason why they work the kids so hard, which reflects the students' attitudes about themselves.

"If we don't push the students, they'll push us twice as much," he said. "They'll actually come to us and ask us why we're not making them work hard. That just shows how serious and dedicated these students are. They like to be challenged."

Photograph by George Sakkestad The Color Guard marches with comrades during a rehearsal performance.

"For the first couple workouts, I felt like I wanted to die," said Hu, who weighs 95 pounds and wears a back brace during practice. "In addition to the exercises, I had a heavy drum attached to my body. I felt like falling over, but the exercises eventually helped me with my balance. Now, I'm used to the weight."

Hu said she's looking forward to not only the first performance on Sept. 20, but to spending the next four years in band.

"I'm proud of being a part of the marching band," she said. "It's a pretty big accomplishment for me."

Junior David Luoh, who has been playing the tuba for the past five years, said a lot of people he knows are surprised by the amount of work that goes into putting on an impeccable seven-minute performance.

"It's a lot of time, work and energy," he said. "But when everything flows together, it makes the practices worth all the effort."

Aside from band camp, Luoh said he exercises in his own time as well, running two miles every other day and doing a lot of weight training. He said this helps him with his endurance when he's carrying a 20-pound tuba on his shoulder for a long period of time.

For many students like Luoh, who said he's gotten a couple bruises on his shoulder due to having to prop his tuba on his shoulder, band camp is about having no pain and no gain.

"Band is a unique entity," Boitz said. "It combines athleticism with musicianship. It's like a variety talent show."