ENJOYING THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Michelle Johnson is halfway through her freshman year at Notre Dame University and has developed a passion for marching band. As a 2006 Treynor High School graduate, Johnson expressed her satisfaction at having chosen Notre Dame. She arrived there early to participate in a three day university band preparation exercise and music try out. Johnson learned new marching styles and became a member of the 380 member university m! arching band. She joined the forty member trombone section, where half are freshman. An unusual situation, Johnson noted. In contrast, Johnson stated, she was one of only 38 members in the Treynor marching band. It is challenging, Johnson explained, to do the different marching styles, including the low step, high step, and shuffle step, plus field formations while playing an instrument. Few band members are music majors, Johnson noted, and the band rehearses one and one half hours during the evening four or five days of the week.

The Notre Dame marching band is promoted as the first recorded university band. It was organized on campus before the football team. Johnson stated it was quiet a thrill to see about 1000 band alumni members in the football stadium at homecoming. She is looking to attending the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans next week when Notre Dame plays Louisiana State University. Johnson is also a member of the Varsity Band which plays at! basketball and hockey games, the Concert Band, and the Trombone Choir.

Johnson stated university course work is challenging, but she felt she was well prepared in high school. She said she enjoys meeting students from other parts of the world. Her three room mates in the dormitory are from Maryland, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic.