They don't march with their counterparts but Mariah Santana, Samantha Morales, Samantha van Valkenburg, and Monica Charubin of the xylophone section likely have some of the fastest arms and reflexes in the band.

The piccolo section performs at the annual concert at Mirror Lake. 'The concert is a nice thing at the end of the camp,' says Sally Kurdziel, a senior from Rocky Hill, Connecticut. 'A bunch of people come out to see us play and it's a little relaxing after many intense days.'

A rite of summer camp - the concert at Mirror Lakes means another season beckons. 'The freshmen are starting to move into their dorms and for some of them it's the first tradition of UConn they see. It's fun to watch them pop out and come to watch,' says senior Sally Kurdziel.

Sally Kurdziel is 'physically drained' after the halftime show. Although she is a senior, it's her first year playing the tuba. 'I played smaller instruments before, but I wanted a challenge. I spent my summer getting physically fit and doing weight training. Playing the tuba takes core strength.'

Baton twirler Gabriella Medvick is on fire as her opening night performance with the UConn Marching Band concludes. 'My entire life I wanted to twirl baton for a Division I football team. I clocked 20 hours a week in the gym working to earn one of the very few coveted spots in the country. Getting into UConn, which was my dream school, was remarkable, but after my first season with the UCMB I knew I had found my dream band as well.'

The bass drum section celebrates a UConn score. It was great opening game as the football team posted a win and the marching band blew everyone away.

The color guard flags flow freely on a warm August night. 'I like the people a lot and I like being active,' says Emilee Wooldridge.

Baton twirler Gabriella Medvick shows her opening night excitement. 'Being the feature twirler put me in a special position to get to interact with every facet of the band and really get to know our staff and directors,' says Medvick.

Rhianna Bennett and Aven Kelley have their game faces on as the 2017 football season kicks off in August at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. It is show time. 'There is a real sense of anticipation, especially when you are in the front of the line like we are,' says Kelley. 'You have to know when to put your instrument up and down. It's a real responsibility.'

Relief and satisfaction prevail after the first halftime show. 'We were really excited,' said freshman Rebekah Kennedy. 'It was a really cool experience. I had never done anything like this before.'

Three members of the tuba section exit the field after pregame. 'I had seen games at the stadium before, but never on the field,' says Tyler Michaud. 'The excitement didn't hit me until I got there and saw how many people we would be playing in front of. The tubas hit a low note, the trumpets play the fanfare, and we're on our way!'

The cymbal section makes a football-like pregame huddle. Each instrument group has its own unique traditions. 'We take each other's hands and jump onto the other person's shoulders,' says sophomore Susana Cevallos of the baritones.