Every high school band student in Baldwin County descended upon Robertsdale Tuesday evening for the first Baldwin County Band Jamboree held since the spread of COVID-19 halted the annual event two years ago.

Horns bellowed, flags rippled, drums thumped. It was an evening for the students to shine, after months of marching for hours under the parching Alabama sun in repetitive, exhausting drills. Those hellish days are both as tough and as glorious as a memory can be.

In the stands and on the field these rows of uniformed teenagers become the driving force that raise the fury of fans as game scores grow precariously close. Their notes heal broken hearts as the game clock counts down to zero.

They are their school's most vociferous supporters, baptized in the blood, sweat and tears of their dedication.

Tuesday was their night. Each band performed while their peers from across the county swayed and sang along in the stands. They praised and applauded each other. They relished in a moment that was fully theirs to frolic within.
All hail the band.