Every year, the marching band performs at multiple band exhibitions.

Senior Sasha Benefield is a color guard in marching band. This is her third year in marching band. Her past experience is four years of concert band in elementary and middle school where she played the flute. She says the band has a total of about 17 or more hours of practice for exhibition. She said, “Marching band is hectic. I have dual enrollment, my high school classes, and my band hours. It requires a lot great time management.” Her favorite song she performed with the band at exhibition was the last song of “Movement One,” “Carmen.” During games, she likes dancing to the song “Virus.” She said, “I’m really happy with the band this year because right now we’re working on cleaning up the music and performance. We’re ahead of schedule.”

Junior Brendon Dunlap is in his third year with marching band where he plays the clarinet, and he has three years of concert band, as well. He says the marching band practices about eight hours or more each week. He said, “Marching band can be difficult, especially with time management. What I love most about marching band is playing music and hanging out with my friends.” His favorite song to perform at games is “The Fight Song.”

Sophomore Kaili Boyes has been marching for two years and playing in concert band for five years. She plays the flute, piccolo, and tuba. She plays the ukulele outside of marching band. With only two years of marching band, Kaili says she is just getting used to balancing her school work and marching band. She said, “It’s difficult. The practices are long and they end late. So as soon as I get home, I immediately work on my homework. But it’s worth it.” She says she likes marching band because of the people. “We’re like a big family. Everyone is just accepting of who we are.” She says her favorite song she performs on the field is “Movement One.” Her favorite song to perform in the stand is “In The Red Zone.”

Freshman Brooke Owens is in her first year with marching band, but this will be her fourth year in concert band where she plays the oboe. She says the marching band practices almost every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for two to three hours. When it comes to balancing her school work and band, she said, “It certainly hasn’t been a piece of cake, but it’s worth it. I’m normally up [until] 12 a.m. doing homework.” She feels marching band is like a big family. She said, “It’s a family full of accepting people.” Brooke said that she finds playing music and performing gratifying. She said that she enjoys performing the end of “Movement Three.”