SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, OH (WLIO) - Shawnee's Band of One is known for their top-quality performances, and this weekend, they'll be taking the show on the road to the home of one of the best college marching bands in the state.
This Saturday, October 14th, high school marching bands from all over the state and country will gather at the Horseshoe to play on the same field as the highly talented musicians of Ohio State.
This will be Shawnee's first-ever band to attend the Buckeye Invitational, but this level of accomplishment is nothing new to the district.
"What it comes down to is for a long time, there's a culture of excellence within the band but also within the school and within the community. And this is a group of students who have high expectations of themselves, high expectations of each other, and push themselves and each other to achieve," said Jaz Bluhm, Shawnee Local Schools' director of bands.
All band performances at Shawnee take hours and hours of practice, but the students and music faculty are putting even more time and effort into making sure the Band of One plays their absolute best this weekend.
"Since May, we've all had the music, we've been working on it. It's been more rigorous than it has been in the past, obviously, but it's been super fun," said Anabelle Washam, a senior at Shawnee who is a flute player and drum major.
Though the Indians have never played for such a large crowd or at such a famous venue before, many band members are feeling confident about the challenge. The music program at Shawnee is full of unique experiences, like performing at Walt Disney World, and full of quality people that have helped them build their skills for this moment.
"Honestly, it's been the great directing and surrounded by other great musicians. It's been really fun to be around it, so I think what's prepared us most honestly, is just the challenge that the directors have given us," said senior tenor drum player, Jesse Hensley.
The Band of One will play at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus at 11:45 am. this Saturday.
