“Ready. Set. Horns Up!”

Spread in formation across a large, grassy field, a group of students stand at a halt, alertly waiting for their next instruction.

“One, two. One, two, ready and!”

Without hesitation, the Big Red Marching Band begins to play, marching in time with the beat of the drums. It’s not game day yet, but they endured three weeks of long practices in the sweltering sun to prepare for Saturday, the first home game of the season.

“We started practicing two weeks ago, at band camp,” said Eric Bristol, a Vine Grove sophomore who’s in his second year playing clarinet for the band. “During that week we learn fundamentals, like the formations and the music.”

For new band members, camp was a glimpse of the demanding practices they’d face.

“I’d never marched before,” said Melissa Rushton, a freshman from Conyers, Ga., who plays piccolo. “It’s a new experience, but it has definitely been worth it.”

After band camp, regular practice began every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“Regular practices consist of cleaning and drilling; we warm up, then go through the pre-game and halftime shows,” Ashland junior Brittany Branham said.

Rachel Soto, a Florence sophomore, added, “During practices we work on air support, posture and getting correct notes. It’s really about working on perfecting everything.”

In addition to these practice sessions, the marching band also practices for an hour on game day, before performing the Topper Walk, which begins the pre-game show.

For many band members, performing at games is the highlight of their experience. During the game, the band plays pep music and a half-time show with themes chosen by the section leaders and drum majors.

This year’s themes, “Motown” and “Superheroes,” will be alternated throughout the season, starting with Motown hits “Get Ready,” “I Want You Back” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

And the marching band is spreading its wings. They are known for Western games, but near the end of this semester, they’ll align in a different stadium.

“On December 6, we’ll hopefully playing at the Colts and Titans game,” Bristol said. “It’s a pro-football game, so we’re really excited.”

As practice closes, the band plays the Fight Song without a word of instruction, like an instinctive end-of-practice ritual. Those whose instruments allow them to jump up and down in excitement, anticipating the game or celebrating the end of practice.

Either way, when they play it again Saturday, they aim to show their hard work with every sound and step.