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Football season busy for musicians

Darn tootin! Bands play on Friday night, too

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buy this photo The Stevens High School marching band performs before the "Friday Night Lights" at O'Harra Stadium before the start of the football game with Watertown. (Dick Kettlewell, Journal staff)

RAPID CITY- These high school performers spend long hours of practice, honing the moves in the proper sequence until they're almost reflex in preparation for the night of the big game.
This sounds like any gridiron team getting ready for a typical football Friday night, but it also refers to any high school marching band.
The Rapid City Stevens Blue Raider Marching Band started practicing their "Carmen in Seville" half-time show before school started in August and then debuted the routine at Friday night's homecoming football clash with Watertown.
Director Don Downs said his 80-plus member band practiced 1-1/2 hours a day, five days a week to prepare for the five-minute show, along with the band's pre-game show.
"It's an ordeal for the kids to learn the notes and learn the steps," Downs said.
The Raider band's drum majors are seniors Justin Fox and Josh Miller. Flag Captains are Sarah Johnson and Nicole Taylor.
Joining Downs are directors George Dragoo and Gary Hansen.
The Raiders' football team fell to Watertown in a defensive battle 20-7.

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