For Fossil Ridge’s percussionists, the days are long, the rehearsals intense, and the auditions looming. But the drive to push forward, to grow as musicians and as people, keeps the beat going.

Here is a look inside the experiences of three of Fossil’s busy band students.

Fossil senior Nathan Most starts his mornings like many other students, by snoozing his alarm. By eight o’clock, he is up, and by nine, he is in class, juggling college-level trigonometry and English. After school, his schedule quickly shifts into overdrive when on the field. Most is the center snare and drumline section leader for Fossil’s three-time state champion marching band. Rehearsals run long into the evening, and on nights he is not with the band, he is often preparing for auditions or caring for his brother.

“It is definitely a lot,” Most said. “It is a big commitment. I spend a lot of hours doing it, especially since I am a part of the leadership team and also part of the winter ensembles. I spend time outside and in school doing music stuff, so it definitely takes up a lot of time during the week.”

This fall, Most is auditioning for several Drum Corps International groups, including the Casper Troopers and The Battalion in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also aiming for the Blue Knights World Percussion Ensemble this winter. Most strives to land a spot on snare as opposed to marching tenor drums, which he did last winter with Blue Knights Open.

“I am hoping to get into the world group just to improve my musicianship even more,” Most said. “Part of the experience is just me trying to grow as much as I can as a musician.”

The commitment is both financial and personal. Blue Knights tuition alone can reach $2,500 or more, not including the fees for Fossil’s winter percussion, marching band, and auditions for a drum corps.

“It’s definitely not cheap,” Most said.

He is not the only one pushing himself toward the next level. Fellow senior snare drummer Landon Orrick, also auditioning for drum corps and Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble, described what drives him forward.

“Music and marching percussion is something that I am really passionate about,” Orrick said. “These are great opportunities to keep doing what I love outside of school. Be passionate, you know, and enjoy what you do. And I think the most important part is to take feedback and take criticism from everywhere, because you have to be a sponge and soak up the knowledge, and that is one of the best ways to get better.”

For junior Sammy Marshall, who plays synthesizer for Fossil’s band program, his journey looks a little different. While still deciding between Fossil’s winter percussion and independent opportunities, he has been spending much of his time writing his own music.

“Honestly, I write because it is fun,” Marshall said. “It is really cool to see something grow from a single idea into something much bigger.”

Marshall’s inspirations range from Hans Zimmer’s cinematic scores to the raw edge of Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.

Despite their different approaches, all three students share the same challenge: balancing the demands of school, music, and their future.

“It is very stressful,” Marshall said. “The sacrifice is usually school over anything else. That is the hard part.”

Most sees those sacrifices as lessons in themselves.

“Band has taught me that community matters,” Most said. “Having people around you that you can trust and feel safe with it is one of the most important things.”