The marching band performs at halftime during football games, a tradition that brings a wave of school enthusiasm and practice for competitions. On September 16, the band accompanied the football team at a home game against Hamilton; their marching band was also attending. Home games enable the band to perform for their own friends and families. All photos courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.

Pre-game is canceled due to storm warnings, however the band is still able to perform in the stands and at halftime. During the first two halves of the match, the band members played various songs to rev up the team and their fans. Obviously, the fight song is a favorite of the crowd: “I really like the enthusiasm while we were sitting, talking, and cheering on the football team, I also really enjoy the spiral in the beginning of our show,” said Katherine Shi, 9.

As halftime approaches, the students warm up with their instruments or flags; this enables them to prepare for the show ahead. This year’s ensemble is called Vortex, which features various props and musical references to the space theme. The group started in the center of the field and unwinded as the percussionists started the show.

This year, there are four drum majors: Morgan Comerford, 12, Diego Palacios, 12, Kevin Sheetz, 12, and Michael Xiang, 11. They must conduct the students performing and serve as leaders for the band. During the show, the drum majors also rotate the podiums in which they are standing in order to give the most effective instructions possible.

Isabelle Augustin, 12 performs her solo on flute on the front portion of the field. She played both the mellophone and flute during the show. Augustin’s solo introduced a softer side to the more ominous tones of Vortex.

The rifles in Color Guard lift Julia You, 12 at the end of movement one. They were on top of a spinning prop that brings reference to the Vortex theme. “Football games are different from competitions because you know the people in the stands, so you have to perform more but you also have more fun,” said You.

The students are working to finish up their show and all three movements as the season progresses. The group will be performing at future football games, including Homecoming. They also have upcoming competitions at which fans are encouraged to attend.