This article was written by Trevor Porter and Viktor Shevchenko
Under the Friday night lights, the football players head to the locker rooms, and the marching band takes the center of the field, filling the stadium with music and colorful sounds as well as a visual show to entertain halftime fans.
The marching band performs at every home game during halftime. They have been competing at a state level for 32 years. The marching band consists of 149 students and is a hard-working and dedicated group.
Behind the scenes, the band practices countless hours, going over the same lines until all of the steps and notes are just in sync with each other. Charlie Pataniczek, junior mellophone player, sees the dedication and art of marching band.
“We put a lot of work into what we do, and it’s pretty hard to memorize your drill and your music, and it’s just a lot of work throughout the summer,” Pataniczek said.
We are all humans. We get nervous before huge events where everyone is going to watch you, listen to you, or simply rely on you. Senior Ryan Quimby, a drum line leader, has been playing for 4 years; Quimby still sees a performance as a nerve-wracking experience. If you watch him on the field, he may seem calm and collected, but there is an admitted pressure knowing that everyone is watching and relying on you.
“I feel like before a show, I’m always a little bit nervous. I think with performing arts, anything like that. You get a little nervous, but it’s always really exciting, too.” Quimby said.
While we get to see 10 minutes in the halftime show, it is easy to forget that behind this was a lot of effort.
“A lot of people just see it at halftime, and think we only put it in a couple hours to this, but it’s every day. Multiple hours every day, going into this.” Quimby said.
Junior Micah Wells, a trombone player and section leader, has been in a band for 3 years; he is now an upperclassman with a good amount of experience and he became a great leader for the marching band.
“It is a lot of hard work during the beginning, and then once you start going through it, it gets a lot easier, and you get to know people, and it’s a lot more fun,” Wells said.
A significant part of the marching band is the color guard. They bring the music to life, making you not only hear it but see it. Olivia Brown, color guard coach and math teacher, still feels pressure during the shows even though she isn’t on the field.
“I am trying to send my color guards some good vibes,” Brown said. “But, of course, I’m nervous ’cause I want them to do well. And I am always trying to encourage them even from far away.”
Every band needs a talented leader to guide them. Greg Wells, the band director, has been a part of this big family for over sixteen years. Wells sees the effort and dedication the marching band members put into their work.
“They’re hardworking, they’re good people, they’re considerate. They work hard. It’s a great culture.” Greg said.
Greg captures the essence of what makes the marching band great: the people. Amidst the waving flags, the instrument solos, the rise and fall of each act, it is the community that makes the magic happen, working together to bring a piece to life.
Sophomore flute player Gricelda Perez Sanchez enjoys the community and friends in the marching band as well.
“The community is really nice to you, and it’s a great place to be if you don’t have any community to be in.” Perez Sanchez said
As halftime approaches, the marching band gets ready to put on a show for the crowd. Everyone sits down as one family to enjoy the performance. The band is now ready to stun the crowd with their thrilling show.
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