After stepping onto her podium, Grace Vivo looks across the field. The 56 members of the Southmoreland Marching Band have put in countless hours to create something more than themselves.

Vivio has always had an interest in band. Thanks to her older sister Leah Vivio, a former color guard member, Grace Vivio has been exposed to the marching band from a younger age. Past percussionist Mariah Bentz suggested Vivio give marching band a chance, so she joined the year the marching band performed “Chicago.” One year later, Vivio wondered what it would be like to be the band’s main leader and earn the title of drum major. Mackenzie Eicher, who was also a percussionist,  was Southmoreland’s drum major for the 2015-2016 show “Africa.” A season later, Vivio became inspired by Eicher and  followed in her footsteps.

“How can I motivate myself and others?” Vivio asked herself. “How can we strive to be even better?”

These are questions Vivio often asks herself to improve herself and her band. After rehearsing Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30, Friday night is the band’s opportunity to shine. Playing pep tunes in the stands to motivate the audience and the players on the field led up to their performance of their half-time show “Among Starry Skies” under the Friday night lights.

These students and leaders take two weeks out of their summer for band camp and travel on Saturdays for competitions. With such a busy schedule, it can be difficult to balance work and school. Vivio arrives early to rehearsal which gives her no time for school work. After practice, Vivio stays awake until 11 p.m. focusing on school work. She even had to drop her AP physics class in order to be able to take band as an elective. When Vivio is rehearsing on the field. that is her work place. Fifty-six people look up to her as a leader, and that may be the most difficult task yet.

The Marching Band’s director, Mr. Shawn Harris, believes Vivio has done wonderful things for this organization.

“Grace has done a good job. She has been prepared and positive.” Mr. Harris said. “We have an eclectic mix of students, and many have stepped up to replace last year’s vets. I expect everybody to end the year with their best show.”

Vivio’s passion for music shines through her creative personality.

“It is such a wonderful thing. Core classes teach critically, but don’t give expression. Band is a place you can go and feel at ease, and I like that,” said Vivio.

This year’s show features songs such as Jupiter, Dusk, and Spontaneous Combustion.  Commanding officers Kylie Diener, senior, and Morgan Conty, junior, working alongside Vivio. 

“It’s actually wonderful. Grace shows me I can do anything, and I can strive for the best,” said eighth grader and rookie member Kaylea Wright.

Although every season has its ups and downs, many members are excited for what is left of the rest of the season.

“I was really excited for Jupiter. Watching all the rookies progress and seeing the show is neat,” said junior Kaylie Buchholz.

These students have spent hours working together to create their best show. Hours are spent running all over the field to perfect music and drill only for the audience to see seven minutes of what the Southmoreland Marching Band can do. Vivio said each performance “comes with a new challenge,” but the feeling of knowing the best performance was given each and every time and being confident in the show is what the band lives to do.