NORMAL -- The marching band is a familiar piece of the fall high school experience. Providing musical backdrops for homecoming parades, football games, and other school activities, the teen musicians bring an audible and visual school spirit to events.

But those entertaining routines don't learn themselves.

That comes from annual intensive band camps, which this week and next are being held throughout the area.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight," Normal West Community High School teens chanted in unison Wednesday as they filled the school's north lot, creating a complex, fluid, formation.

As they counted, a metronome kept time, and a few bass and clarinets added context playing "Movement for Rosa."

Much of the 120-person band marched in the lot. Musicians held a binder in front, with drawings detailing how many steps were required - to the left, then right, then forward and back.

Besides several hours of this kind of drill practice, the band breaks into musical sections to play with their peers, comes back together for ensemble work, and socializes in team-building activities, said Jamie Leopard, a Normal West senior and a drum major.

"It's similar to sports camps, in that they are working competitively and we're seeing what they can do," said Normal West band director Lisa Preston.

"Really, we're like athletes with instruments," said Mark Kletz, who plays euphonium and also is a drum major.

Despite the long hours, and heavy workload, marching band members tend to look forward to the camp, said T.J. Morley, who leads the Normal West trumpet section.

"We get to know each other, and when school starts, we have friends in all the different grades," he said. In a few weeks, the group will compete in the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade.

Many other area schools also are in band camp mode. In the Twin Cities, Normal Community High School, like its Unit 5 sister school meets this week and next for a two-week option; as does District 87's Bloomington High School.

Having the camp before school begins provides a set chunk of time where teens can be devoted wholly to the pursuit of marching band, said BHS director Max Chernick.

"It helps the kids' transition, before they're also bombarded with homework and rehearsals as well," said Chernick. The 170-person BHS marching band, like other bands, has to learn a drill routine and music for competition. But that's not all.

"There's the school song, the national anthem, parade tunes, songs you'd hear at a football game. It's a lot," said Chernick.

"People don't always realize everything these kids have to learn. It can be overwhelming, especially for students coming from eighth grade," said Jason Landes, University High School band director.

The freshmen go from learning how to read sheet music while sitting down, to a scenario where they are asked to memorize music, play while marching, and also to do so in choreographed formations.

U High starts its one-week camp Monday. It's really concentrated, bit it's a perfect way to dive into learning the fall competition routine, said Landes.

Like other band directors, Landes sees the camp as a team-building opportunity.

"It's a pretty long day. But it's a lot of fun for the kids - a time to get to know one another," he said.