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Hampton graduate Sage Whisenhunt is the first member of the Hampton band to join the ETSU Marching Bucs.

Whisenhunt, who plays piccolo and flute, said she will miss her Hampton bandmates but is excited for the opportunities ahead.

“The Hampton band is really like a large family and we care about each other,” said Whisenhunt. “It made four years really fly by.”

Whisenhunt first became interested in band in fifth grade, when she heard a band concert. Whisenhunt joined the Hampton band program in the sixth grade and has seen the last six years fly by leading to the opportunity she has been presented.

“It’s going to take some time to get adjusted to being in a larger band, but luckily I do know some people from the flute section at ETSU,” she said. “During marching we will have a larger field to cover and there will be a lot more practices as well.”

She explained the process of going through open auditions to be considered for the Marching Bucs. “It was exciting to find out I had made it,” said Whisenhunt. “You just hope that you can get in after going through the auditions.”

She encouraged other students to pursue band as well.

“Band is honestly one of the best experiences that I have ever been in,” Whisenhunt said. “I would recommend it to anyone and it is worth sticking it out. Being in the band lets you feel like you are part of something and it really helps for time to fly by.”