We’re a little bit smaller in size than in years past, but there’s just a great amount of energy and commitment from the students.”

Ted Rausch, PHS band director

PORTSMOUTH — You never quite know what you’ll see while visiting band camp at Portsmouth High School.

On the day we visited last week, band members weren’t clutching instruments but water balloons. They broke off in pairs, with students facing each other as they tossed balloons back and forth at increasing distances. 

“It’s a team-building exercise,” explained band director Ted Rausch. “We’re seeing who can spread the furthest apart without dropping it.”

The two remaining contestants were Blake Crandall and Tyler DaSilva, both sophomores. They had little time to celebrate, however, as Mr. Rausch promptly instructed the other students to grab more balloons and target the winners.

“It’s like a bunch of sheep dogs chasing a mouse,” Mr. Rausch remarked as Blake and Tyler were chased around the field.

Besides tossing water balloons, competing in the “bass drum run” and singing “Lemon Drops and Gum Drops” outside in the rain (see related story), band camp is when students rehearse the music and marching routine for this year’s halftime field show.

“This year’s show is a tribute to the great John Williams,” said Mr. Rausch, referring to the film composer who scored blockbusters such as “Jaws,” the “Star Wars” series, “Superman,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park” and many more.

That last film was screened during a movie night Saturday for band members. They kept the theme going during band camp on Monday by dressing up as a character from any movie scored by the famous composer.

Mr. Rausch said the music department “went back and forth” on coming up with this year’s theme.

“We were actually going to do a ‘Walking Dead’-type theme, but there were a lot of issues with copyright, so we nixed that,” he said. “I had some ideas about music and I’ve got a great parent group this year that’s building some pretty cool props, like a spaceship for ‘E.T.,’ a shark fin for ‘Jaws.’ It should be pretty cool.”

Band parents and friends will be treated to a sneak preview of the field show tonight, Aug. 23. The rest of the public will have to wait until the first home varsity football game on Friday, Sept. 29.

‘Great amount of energy’

Mr. Rausch said about 30 new freshman joined the band this year.

“We’re a little bit smaller in size than in years past, but there’s just a great amount of energy and commitment from the students,” he said.

One of the new musicians is sophomore Zach Raymie, who recently moved here from Virginia Beach. Band members have welcomed him with open arms, he said.

“So far, my time here has been absolutely amazing,” Zach said. “I think I’m really going to remember this place out of all the different places I’ve had to move to. Every place has their own details, but this place I’m going to remember for the people and how amazing and kind they are and how accepting they are of anybody who comes here for the first time.”

With additional reporting by Richard W. Dionne Jr.