In recent weeks, marching band field commanders Audrey Kerney and Julius Janke have set the stage for the Lakewood Rangers Marching Band’s success this fall. With the football season in full swing and homecoming festivities just around the corner, Kerney and Janke play key roles in keeping the band in step and on beat.
But being a field commander is more than just conducting the band. It takes lots of practice to be a good leader, which is an essential quality for a field commander. Band director Clinton Steinbrunner said, “Their responsibilities go far beyond conducting—they also help with organizational tasks, encourage new members and step in wherever needed to ensure the band’s success.” In fact, he said, “they serve … as role models for their peers and represent the entire program.”
The process of becoming a field commander isn’t easy. Those who think they have what it takes undergo countless practices with the full band, attend a special clinic and eventually participate in tryouts. The clinics teach field commanders “how to read musical scores, develop conducting skills, and discuss what it means to lead by example,” Steinbrunner said. Then, tryouts are the place to showcase skills while “conducting to music and … interview[ing] with the directors and current field commanders,” Steinbrunner said. After this lengthy process, the field commanders have been taught the skills they need and shaped into the very best leaders they can be for both the band and the community. Those selected for such an honorable role are not just chosen by how they conduct the music but also for how determined and dedicated they are to representing the band and helping it grow.
Football games and Friday night lights are two of the most notable events of the fall sports season. And that’s not just for the football team. Football games are a place where teams, students, parents, children, teachers and more can come together and cheer for their beloved Lakewood. But the games wouldn’t be the same without the music and songs we know deep down in our hearts. Songs like the Rangers’ Fight song, played after a touchdown, or Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” during the marching band’s halftime performance, are some iconic examples. Without the music from the band, the games would lose their excitement—from scoring a touchdown to the buildup as teams make a good play, the tension as the scores are close, and the clock ticking down. Janke said it best: “Games aren’t just games—they’re an experience.”
Music is a valuable part of life. It can uplift and improve your mood, increase morale, and even reduce stress, and the marching band is no different. The field commanders understand how big a role music has in the lives of others and use it to uplift spirits and add competitiveness to games that would otherwise be boring without the music. “We are here to serve as role models and leaders,” says Kerney. “We are teaching other people to be as passionate as we are about music.”
It’s a long week for those in the band, especially for the field commanders, who not only have to attend practices but also lead them. Kerney and Janke confirmed that the band practices Tuesday and Thursday mornings, after school, and Friday mornings. There’s even a potluck tradition before games for the band to bond over and have fun before heading out to perform. “That’s about 11 hours a week,” Janke said. That doesn’t even include all of the hard work put in during the summer.
Throughout these extensive—but fun—practices and get-togethers, the field commanders are still able to keep spirits high and lead with pride. “Their positive energy helps the band stay productive, perform at its best, and enjoy the process along the way,” Steinbrunner said. “That energy spreads to the football team, to Lakewood fans, and to the entire community, building pride and school spirit that extends well beyond the field.” All of this is thanks to the fantastic leadership and qualities that the field commanders set for the band as a whole.
The season has been a great success so far, but it’s not quite over yet. This past Saturday, the band took part in the Marching Band Festival, and this week, they will no doubt make both the Spirit Parade and Homecoming football game memorable for all.
