As the sun set behind the treeline at Adkins Stadium on Thursday, some 100 members of the Jefferson City High School band encircled Caleb McClain's snare drum and tearfully shared why they loved him.
The Jay Band's annual ice cream social, showcasing a glimpse of their upcoming show, began as it typically does, but concluded with a somber remembrance of the student who would have been on the field that night.
McClain, 16, and his girlfriend, Karlie Jones, 15, were killed in a car crash recently on U.S. 54 near Holts Summit.
The center snare drum player was an integral part of the band, not just because of his performance role but because of the emotional impact he had on many of his fellow students.
"He never let someone get left behind," said Senior Tim Campbell, as he broke down into tears. "If they were in a rut, he'd pull them out of it."
Others stepped forward and talked about the times he pulled them out of their dark times, how his energy kept them going and how he encouraged them to stay in band even when they felt like quitting.
After McClain's drum was saluted and the Jay Band played "Never Walk," 2012 JCHS alumni and band percussion technician Jared Rivera stepped forward grasping the drum.
"This drum is hollow. There's nothing in it but air," he said. "I'm sure a lot of you feel hollow. But Caleb felt something inside it. He played with conviction and commitment.
"Every time you're on the field fill it up with your music. I know it feels dark. Every time you think of him you think you're going to break. I know he's up there and I know he's excited for you. Drum line, whenever you feel hollow, fill it up. Band, whenever you're on the field and you feel like something's missing, fill it up. Fill it up with Caleb."
The majority of the students, huddled around McClain's parents afterward, crying and hugging them. Many of the students needed this week's band camp to come together as a team and support each other, Band Director Brett Myers said.
"He was a great kid," Myers said. "He was always on time. He was always helping. I really want to charge you, I want to challenge you to rise to that work ethic. You're all great kids. I love all of you."
But Myers said he would be amiss if the band didn't also honor Jones, who dated McClain for several years before her life was bitterly cut short.
"I thank God for her," he said. "She made him a better guy. And they left together, and there's a certain romanticism to that. At the funeral I thanked her father for what she did for Caleb."
McClain's name is printed on the right sleeve of the new band T-shirts and Myers said they will honor him throughout the year.
This year's show "In The Rain" will be even bigger than last year, he said, and will feature an original composition and well known classic's like Bette Midler's, "I Think It's Going To Rain Today."