The drum major is precise and concise — and serious about having fun.

The Ilwaco football field is sprinkler soaked and hasn’t been lined as summer Band Camp gets under way. So, in the dimly lit school cafeteria, Hayden Gentry stills his squad and has them focus on his feet.

If You Go

If You Go

Ilwaco High School home football

games/band performances

(Games start at 7 p.m.)

Sept. 6 Toutle Lake (h)

Sept. 20 Wahkiakum (h)

Sept. 27 Morton-White Pass (h) Homecoming

Oct. 3 Black Lake, Ilwaco (cross country meet); 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Forks (h)

Oct. 25 Adna (h) Senior night

The Ilwaco High School band put through its paces, step by tiny step, corralled by lines blue-taped to the hard floor.

It is fulfilling a dream for Gentry, an enthusiastic singer and trombonist who is about to begin his senior year.

“I have always liked band,” he says. “When I was a kid, I used to watch the parades in Ocean Park and see the marching band. I saw the guy or lady up front and wanted to be that. When I was a freshman I didn’t participate, but as a sophomore I discovered it was my thing.”

Focus

Gentry is inspired, in part, by last year’s senior drum major, Zach Jewell, who worked to rejuvenate Fishermen spirit as classmates relegated covid shutdowns to the rear mirror.

“Zach and I had been friends since we were about 11 or so,” Gentry says. “I was seeing him get better. I was thinking, if he can do it, I can do it — and I can add on to what he has done.”

Five home football games and three parades form the core of the schedule. Gentry promises disciplined practices and conditioning efforts, plus a more professional look.

“This year the focus will be on being competitive, as we go to marching band contests at WSU and Auburn.” The event at Washington State University is Oct. 25-27; the Auburn Veterans Day Parade and Marching Festival is Nov. 8-10. “We will be a bit more strict,” he adds, “because being good is a lot of fun.”

‘Excited’

They begin marching season at a South Bend parade Sept. 1. One challenge will occur when musicians are kitted out in their $650 blue-and-gold outfits.

“There’s a stripe down the uniform,” explains Gentry, “and a crooked stripe looks bad.”

Earlier this summer, band director Rachel Lake traveled with seven students to Yakima for a leadership camp hosted by Dr. Jon Sweet, music guru from WSU.

They came back invigorated, says Lake. “We are very excited,” the long-time director says, noting that lessons go well beyond playing marching and playing instruments. “We are trying to get away from the sarcasm and hateful comments that are in the world today and work hard to be great leaders.”

‘Loud’

As well as IHS students, band camp attendees included Hilltop middle schoolers Sterling Lake, Sophia Guzman and Erick Perez. A why-are-you-here spin around the rehearsal room produces echoed sentiments, summed up by IHS sophomore Autumn Shaw, who plays the baritone saxophone. “I like playing music and I like hanging out with my friends,” she smiles.

Grover Kilburn, a transplant from Lake Washington High School, is welcomed during team-building games. “It looks like a lot of fun,” the junior says, joining the drum section.

Classmate Megan McDonald practices on a bass drum while hoping to return to the clarinet. “I like to hit things,” she jokes, “and play music and listen to music.”

Senior Juliet Perez and sophomore Lyla Inskeep swing their saxophones in precision as their feet dance in place.

For Inskeep, the lure is simple: “I love being loud!”