Over 100 members, four competitions, three movements, one goal: get to State Finals.
The Wildcat Marching Band’s season is heating up, following its second place ranking by a 0.2 point margin at their first competition a few weeks ago. But is it enough to qualify for state?
The band has had less time to prepare for competitions than in previous years, due to the school year starting earlier, which took time typically allotted for band camp. The band is also unable to participate in a 5th competition this year due to a scheduling conflict with the homecoming dance.
“We’ll be just fine,” says director Greg Wells. “We can only be as good as we can be. We have to compete against ourselves more than anyone else.”
The band’s rank usually falls somewhere from first to third at local competitions. They also have an impressively long streak of getting a one, the highest rating, at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Festival.
“I’m proud of that fact, it speaks to the tradition of this program, the decades of excellence,” Wells said.
Within the band, there are different sections. Senior Ariel Chaney, one of the section leaders for the alto saxophones, believes that the band has a shot at state.
“I think we have a lot of potential to do great; it all depends on if the band focuses. We just need to rein in on discipline,” Chaney said.