WATERLOO - Joelle Smith provides a nearly continuous stream of directions from her elevated platform to the marching band below on the East High School practice field.

The collection of about 25 students plays a few bars of music and she calls out "Louder!" A few minutes later she tells the trumpet players to "get ahead of the beat." After another brief pause for instruction, she adds, "You're getting better every time."

The new director, in her second day of a week-long band camp Tuesday, said students were "very responsive." They were working on the song "Thriller," part of an eight-minute show that will feature the music of Michael Jackson.

"It's actually harder caliber than they're used to and over half of the students are freshmen," said Smith. The band is preparing for halftime performances at five home football games and competing with other high schools in two marching contests. She expects about 10 more students to join the band through the week or once school starts Aug. 20.

Smith came to East from Dunkerton Schools, where she worked with students in eighth through 12th grades for the past eight years. "So, I'm super-excited to just work with high schoolers," she said. "I'm going to make something out of this program."

How did students feel practice was going?

"For the second day, pretty well," said freshman Andrew Paige.

"It's exciting knowing you can go and compete," said sophomore Joseph Mnayer. "Plus, you get to watch the freshmen."

Excellent tradition

A new band director is also at the helm for West High School, which is in its second full week of band camp.

"We started out with a freshman orientation day (July 30), and since then it's been full days," said director Dameon Place, who came to West from Williamsburg. Predecessor Steve Citta stepped down from the position after 20 years at West and is directing the Bunger Middle School band in Evansdale during his final year before retirement. Place is joined by Nick Mixdorf, who is starting his third year as West's assistant band director.

The band, which has about 100 students, is performing music from The Who's "Tommy." It will play at halftime of four home football games and in four marching band contests.

"It's in phenomenal shape," Place said of West's band. "The tradition is excellence here. It's fun to be a part of."

Freshman Marlaine McKean confirmed that it is also a lot of work.

"I was kind of exhausted at first," she said. "But you get used to it."

Junior Caleb Nyland is enthusiastic to be starting marching band season for the third year. "This is what I look forward to," he said. "I hate concert band."