It’s summer and it’s band camp.

For the past few weeks, Natchez High School band member’s days have been filled with the sight of fellow marchers huffing and puffing, the rhythm of cymbals and drums ringing in their ears, and the feeling of triple digits temperatures radiating down from the summer sun.

It is hot and the days are long, but it is all necessary.

“If you want to be the best, you have to push yourself,” said Jourdan Johnson, the drum line section leader.

Last year, the band won all of the battle of the bands that they attended and intend to do the same this year.

“This is the most mature group I’ve ever worked with,” said Marcus Washington, the band director.

For more photos from NHS band camp, see Sunday’s print edition.