It began with a three-day mini-camp in June. There were sectionals all summer. Two weeks of band camp before school started. Eight hours of practice after school every week. Saturdays devoted to rehearsals and competitions. But the hard work is worth it for members of the Cherry Creek High School Marching Band, who've set their sights on the State Marching Band Championships, coming up Oct. 25 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"We set our goals high," said senior Drum Major Sebastian Adams, "but the most important thing is that we walk of the field knowing we had a good show and a good season."

Adams and fellow Drum Major Dominic Caviness lead a band of 82 students: 18 freshmen, 24 sophomores, 18 juniors and 22 seniors. The students take part in marching band because they want to, not because they have to. At Cherry Creek High School, marching band is an extracurricular activity - a club, not a class - which is different from many metro area high schools. Band Director Tim Libby says that's why the Creek band is so strong musically.

"These students are working on their musical skills in class every day, either in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band or Wind Ensemble," said Libby. "They do Marching Band on their own time. They've made an incredible commitment to their own musicianship and to this organization."

This year the Marching Band is performing 'Snow,' an original composition by Joseph Cooper, arranged by Andy Smart. The band's marching drill was designed by Nick Scotella.

"The show is very challenging," said Associate Band Director Sara Wynes. "It has intense movement and music. The kids need a lot of endurance."

The competition season is off to a good start, with strong performances in the Arapahoe and Douglas County Invitational Marching Festivals. The band only competed in the preliminaries at those festivals, so they could perform at home football games both evenings.

"We're committed to performing at school events," said Libby. "So far this year, we've performed at Spirit Day, the Homecoming Pep Rally, all home football games, and a key varsity volleyball match. We're proud to be part of campus events at Cherry Creek."

Senior Taavish Sharma, a trumpet player who's been performing with a cast on his broken foot, says there are three main reasons he loves marching band.

"There's the social aspect," he said. "We're all close friends. Then there's the competitive aspect, which is my favorite. Band is like a sport. It takes the same kind of commitment and dedication. And finally, there's the performing aspect."

Sharma and fellow Marching Band member Katie York are Cherry Creek High School's 2008 Homecoming King and Queen.

You can catch the Cherry Creek Marching Band in action three times next week: at the Regional Qualifying Competition, 3-8 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 16 at Littleton High School; at the football game between Cherry Creek and Grandview at 7:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 17, at the Stutler Bowl, and at the Pomona Marching Festival on Sat., Oct. 18 at the North Area Athletic Complex in Golden.