By Erin Murtaugh, staff intern

The Albert Lea High School marching band is back in full swing this year.

After four years of being just a drumline, the band is in its second year of having a full band. This year, it also added a color guard.

ALHS band director Suzanne Mauer said she has received positive comments about the marching band coming back.

“The community likes to see the group out there,” Mauer said.

Mauer has seen an increase in numbers between the past two years. She said students enjoy it and think it is a fun activity. Last year, the band had around 45 members and the number has increased to about 70.

During practice, the band has a lot to accomplish, she said. Aside from learning and perfecting music, they also have to get costumes and work on marching.

“There’s a lot we actually do,” Mauer said.

Senior Ashley Holl is the drum major for the group. She keeps time for the drum section during performances. This is Holl’s second year in marching band. She joined last year and had fun participating.

“My favorite part is the actual marching,” Holl said. “It looks really cool when everybody is in step with each other.”

Kailie Drescher, a senior, is the leader of the saxophone section. Drescher uses marching band as a way to keep in touch with her friends during the summer.

“We are growing and becoming a bigger band,” said Drescher. “It makes it more fun.”

Similar to last year, the marching band will perform at Albert Lea’s Third of July Parade. Added this year, the band will attend two other events. On the Fourth of July, they will march in Austin’s parade. The day after, the band will head to Valleyfair, where they will march around the amusement park once, and then get to spend the day riding rides and playing games.