She had played it since the sixth grade. Played it throughout junior high at Northwestern. And, of course, as soon as she hit the 10th grade, she joined Raines' marching band. Turned out that Quaintance-Couch, who is now in her 30s, was following the sounds of success. She now manages resident services for the Jacksonville Housing Authority.
Travel is just one intangible that being in the band offers students.
It involves more pageantry and more props. In some cases, you can use props as cheap as PVC pipes, or you may have to use something as expensive as golden brass rods. And there are other modern intrusions. Of time, economics and values. Today, many students work longer hours after school, either to help their parents or to not be a burden to them.