With state finals this weekend, the band has been preparing to play their competitive pieces for months; playing at competitions throughout the year and at halftime during home football games. All of their time practicing has been fueled with the memory of last year’s COVID interference.
Sophomore Lilly Childers, who plays the clarinet in the wind ensemble and French Horn, is especially eager for their upcoming performance.
“COVID ruined our chance to perform last year, so this year we get a chance to [make that up],” Childers said. “We always have a good time and turnout at state finals. We’re super excited to show what we got, especially since we have such a competitive show this year.”
Childers’ enthusiasm comes not only from the joy of making music but also from the hard-earned competition.
“Hopefully, we’ll get higher than third place at state, but we’re usually top three in the state, which is a really good achievement,” Childers said.
Others also are looking forward to states, but some with a different perspective. Senior James Robinson, who adds “the spice” to the music with percussion, is ready for his final state competition of his high school music career.
“I’m really looking forward to [state finals] and getting to the end of everything because I know in the end it will be all worth it,” Robinson said.
Junior Jorge Gonzalez, who plays tuba and bass trombone, is more than ready for their hard work to be showcased.
“Marching season is always really fun, despite all the difficulties, and band week, [which] goes from nine in the morning to nine at night,” Gonzalez said. “It’s tough, but it’s a lot of fun in the end.”
As tough as marching band can usually be, last year was unequivocally difficult. Senior Wade Kent, the section leader for drumline, was still happy with last year’s performances.
“I’m really proud of how we did with the shortened season because we did [the] stuff we normally do with a lot less [practice],” Kent said.
Although some of the band didn’t experience last year’s craziness, they’re still dealing with the aftermath. Robinson is impressed with their attitude and drive.
“A lot of our freshmen are really, really good. All of our freshmen this year are just really fast learners,” Robinson said. “I’m just really proud of them for sticking with it and putting their trust in me, and just getting better and better.”
Robinson’s attitude, and the attitude of the entire band, is one of the reasons members love marching band so much. Senior Elaina Schafer, head captain of the color guard, appreciates the inclusion, even as a separate section of the band.
“I really like the community,” Schafer said. “Most people come in with very little to no experience of the color guard [or] dance. We just kind of take anyone.”
Greg Wells, the band director, supports that attitude and is eager to take anyone interested in marching band, but also knows that marching band takes a lot of time and dedication.
“You depend on each other for all sorts of things, musically [and] visually,” Wells said “If three people around you are missing, then it’s really difficult to rehearse well.
Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often. As Childers explains, most people in the band take their jobs seriously, but they also don’t forget to have fun.
“I get to work with a bunch of good, talented people, and they’re all into the things that I like,” Childers said. “I get to have a lot of cool opportunities.”
The band will be competing at Ford Field on Saturday, November 6 in the 2021 MCBA for state finals.
