Four grueling hours under the sun, repeating tedious marches, and holding up heavy instruments might sound like the last thing anyone would want to do on a Saturday morning. But for the CMR band kids, it’s show time. Saturday, Sept. 27, brought the dreaded day: Super Saturday. Positioned on the freshman football field at CMR, the players took their positions, knowing that this is one of the most important practice sessions before their big Homecoming performances.
Junior and experienced trombonist Henry Blake has been part of the Homecoming festivities since his freshman year. He has learned the ropes and knows exactly what to expect when Super Saturday appears in bright red Sharpie on the calendar.
“The most challenging part of Super Saturday is that a lot of people go only for their grades, but it’s important to have a good attitude and show an example to the younger students,” Blake said.
As one of this year’s section leaders, Blake sees Super Saturday as more than just a mandatory practice. It’s an opportunity to improve, he said. Instead of treating it as just another grade, students should focus on the effort they put into their performance. Those hours of practice help the band perfect marching steps and refine the music. By the end of the day, improvements become visible, and the show starts to come together, he said. That dedication, he says, pays off when the band takes the field at the Homecoming game and marches in the parade.
“This year’s performance felt more loose and relaxed than in years past. We did well with the time, talent, and resources given to us,” Blake said.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the 2025 Homecoming performances, Blake said the outcome was a pleasant one. The music was particularly strong, and the positive attitudes of many older students helped lift the spirits of the younger members, he said. He noted that music director Chris Kloker seemed a bit resigned about the show, likely due to the band being smaller than in years past, which can make it harder to deliver a strong performance. Nevertheless, Blake said that Kloker was pleased with how it all came together.
“Was it perfect? No, but that’s OK. We did well with the things we had, and it paid off in the end,” he said.
Embracing his role as a section leader with pride, Blake also admired his band members for their hard work and dedication in making the performance a success, hoping that he served as a positive influence along the way.
“Being a section leader allowed me to see the effort that leadership puts into the performance,” he said.
Blake served as an important role model for incoming players, taking the opportunity to show what a good band member looks like through effort, work ethic, and determination. He hopes to pass on advice to younger students looking to join the band, emphasizing that the most important thing is to have the attitude that improvement is possible. Many people say they aren’t very good at their instruments and then don’t take steps to get better, but half the battle is believing that you can, he said.
“My favorite part about performing in the marching band is how visible it is… it feels good to show the school that the band is still here and working hard.”
Blake highlights the value of consistent, focused practice with clear daily goals. He also stresses the importance of finding a player to emulate, noting that you can’t sound good if you don’t know what sounding good sounds like. Listening is key. However, beyond technical skill, practice, and consistency, the most essential part of a band is building connections with fellow members, he said.
“The best part of a band is the people you work with, the memories you make, and the shared connection you all have,” Blake said.
Seeing through the eyes of a newcomer, freshman and Super Saturday survivor Kolten Kupfner performed for the first time with the band, both in practice and during their homecoming performances.
“It was a memorable experience because I’ve never been in a marching band, so it was interesting to see what the band is all about,” Kupfner said.
Kupfner has played the trumpet since fifth grade, and entering high school, he was determined to continue his musical journey. Being one of the easier instruments to pick up, he has enjoyed learning his way around it, though he also said that truly mastering it is a whole different challenge. Bringing his experience into Homecoming practice, he said that Super Saturday quickly proved its importance not only in band member bonding but also in excitement revolving around playing as a team and becoming more prepared for the performances to come.
“It definitely made me feel a lot more confident in my performance,” he said.
After weeks of hard work, Kupfner marched the field at Memorial Stadium, playing with strength and confidence alongside his bandmates as they showcased the performance they had been preparing.
“I personally felt a lot of pride when doing the field performance — a little nervous, I won’t lie, but it was definitely a good experience,” he said.
Speaking for himself and the other younger players, he said homecoming week highlights the band’s strong sense of community and, in the end, how rewarding it is to be part of it.
“It definitely makes me want to participate in more pep band activities for the band this year and the incoming years in high school.”
