The SRHS marching band has many helpers outside the actual band that help make their shows more successful and easier to manage. These helpers are called the Roadies. 

Roadies are oftentimes the ones working behind the scenes, making sure everything goes where it needs to be and helping make a lot of props for the band’s shows. 

“During competitions, we have to make sure we stay on task and do what we are supposed to do,” senior Avrie Vohs stated. “We have to build the props that the marching band uses, make sure all of the instruments are safe, and communicate with the band and Mr. Hartley to do exactly what is needed.” 

Being a roadie often comes with many new skills that they learn or improve upon along the way. 

“My strength has definitely improved during roadieing,” senior Lucas Halvorson stated. “Roadieing is essentially hard labor for several hours straight, and when it comes to competitions, roadies are out working for the entire day. And since most of the props and instruments are heavy, my strength has grown.”

Although a lot goes into the role of a roadie, their main priority is to relieve some of the stress from the band. 

Halvorson stated, “To relieve some of the stress, we pack everything into the trailer, unload it, set up the props, take the props on and off the field, and then we take them apart and then load everything back up. This lets the band focus more on their movements instead.” 

To be prepared for the heavy lifting and long hours a proper meal is essential. 

“There are not many ways to make the job easier, but being mentally and physically prepared for what you are doing is key,” Halvorson said. “You need to make sure to be eating and drinking water the day before and during roadieing. It is so important that you do that, especially during comp days.” 

Another thing that is essential to roadieing is listening to peers. 

“One of the biggest tips I could give would be to listen to other people,” Vohs stated. I have realized that a lot of the kids have a hard time listening to someone their age, but they have to realize that we know what we are doing and we are saying these things because it will help us.”

Roadieing involves many memorable experiences for a majority of those involved. 

Vohs stated, “One of my favorite experiences while roadieing was when we were at BOA (Bands of America) in Utah, and we were able to walk the whole college campus. It was so gorgeous and we were able to see and hear things. Many things went wrong with our props during that competition, but it was so much fun to learn how to problem-solve. The vinyls we had used ended up shrinking and all the buttons were broken, so in less than an hour in freezing temperatures, we had to deconstruct and rebuild the props completely. Though it was one of the worst experiences imaginable, it was also one of the best.”