Band and Guard had two competitions this year. The first competition was on September 27 at Pitman High School in Merced.
Despite it being a hot day, the students walked away with several awards. Street percussion won fourth place in our division, Color guard won second place in our division, drum major won second overall, and band took first place.
Grant Yates, (12), won 2nd overall in military drum major. This award to him means a representation of his hard work and dedication to the band.
“I might be a drum major, but I’m not there for the judges or trophies. I’m there because my band needs me. To lead them. To inspire them. I’m forever grateful that I am able to inspire and influence such an amazing group of musicians,” said Drum Major Yates.
Yates’ particular favorite piece of music is the liberty bell because it was his first march in high school. Over the years that Yates has been in the band he feels it has made him a better leader and showed him how to stay determined even if things get difficult.
The second competition the Band and Guard competed on October 18 at the Santa Cruz Band Review. This is the biggest band competition of the season with 55 bands from around the state competing. The Los Banos division consists of ten bands.
The students earned the following awards: Band won second place, Guard won first place, and percussion won fourth place.
Bry Vera,(12), stated that being in band has taught him how to be resilient and disciplined due to having to stand still for long periods of time. He has learned how to go above and beyond and put more into the band for his future to become a band director.
With self discipline and giving up lunches to practice, he is able to manage his band commitments and academics done in a mannered time. Vera said, “It’s just about making sure you don’t waste any spare time.”
Vera says with four practices a week there have been times where he wants to give up but doesn’t because he is important to the band and really enjoys his time.
Vera has been in drums for a while and wanted to try something new, the tuba but he prepares for performing, so nerves aren’t a problem for him as he stated.
“The only reason you get nervous is if you haven’t prepared for it.”
Sara Sowersby, (12), continues the year with hard work and discipline as she hopes to make it into the honor band, which is an advanced band group with students from different schools. With staying calm and working on mistakes at home she is able to keep calm during practice and performances. Though Sowersby puts in hard work and dedication into the band she does not see herself as pursuing music professionally, she wants to go to college to be a veterinarian.
The Band, Guard, and Percussion competed at the Central California Band Review in Merced on November 8. The students walked away with four trophies:
Percussion – 3rd place (only 0.4 points away from 2nd place)
Guard – 2nd place
Drum Major – 3rd place (only 0.2 points away from 2nd place)
Band – 3rd place (only 0.05 points away from 2nd place)
