Students at Meridian Public Schools started Monday. But those in the Meridian High School Marching Band have been hard at work in the heat of summer for weeks.

Some days the heat and humidity cranked up so high they could barely breathe. Band members dodged thunderstorms many afternoons.

The band will keep dealing with the summertime weather throughout much of the football season and during after school-rehearsals, as they prepare for competition. Meridian High also hosts its annual marching band festival Oct. 4.

"We have to be careful with the heat. We have to watch the heat index," said band director Steve Stringer. "We keep fresh, cold water out. And we just try to take it at a pace that the kids can handle, and try not to push them beyond healthy limits."

"We have to be out here and practice so that we can have the whole show on by the first game, which is coming up real soon," said tuba player Jaime Bishop. "We just have to have everything ready."

It isn't just the Meridian High School Band dealing with the heat. Virtually every high school marching band in the nation has to go through the same intense outdoor rehearsals in the heat as they prepare to entertain the football crowds and impress the contest judges.