Marching band | Bagpiper Online

By Garland Noel

“People may say that it takes a lot of dedication and work, and they’re right about that, but it’s all worth it in the end, ” said freshman Chase Bishop

Bishop, who plays baritone saxophone for pep, concert and marching band, is playing his first pops concert this year along with most of the freshman band players. The pops concert, which is held here on Wednesday at 7, marks the last time this year’s marching music will ever be played. The marching band is not alone as all the school bands will be playing their own part of the performance, making this one of the largest band concert aside from Winter Fantasia.

“We’re playing ‘Instant Concert,’ ‘Into the Storm’ and ‘Romanesque’,” said freshman intermediate band percussionist Luke Malone.

Malone said that his favorite piece was “Instant Concert” because it was fun to play and had a lot of songs in it. Freshman Mason Moberly and others agreed with his assessment, although Bishop disagreed and said his favorite was “Into the Storm.”

“It has the most energy has the most energy of the all pieces. ‘Instant Concert’ pretty much has one theme through out the entire piece, but ‘Into the Storm’ combines three different themes,” said Bishop.

With the intermediate, advanced, jazz, marching and pep bands playing this is a huge event, not to mention the A and B winter guard and the winter percussion playing. For some, though, it all comes back to why they do it.

“I have a lot of friends in band; everybody gets along, it’s just a cool experience,” said Bishop.

4:37 a.m. FC marching band does a run through of the show before leaving to Indianapolis.

4:41 a.m. The marching band gets on the buses before they depart for Indianapolis.

4:41 a.m. Getting on the buses before they depart for Indianapolis at 5 o' clock. — 4:37 a.m. FC marching band does a run through of the show before leaving to Indianapolis.

4:41 a.m. The marching band gets on the buses before they depart for Indianapolis.

7:46 a.m. After a two hour drive FC marching band arrives at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. — 7:46 a.m. After a two-hour drive FC marching band arrives at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

8:07 a.m. After parked, the band gets on the trailer to get their uniforms to change back on the bus. — 8:07 a.m. After parking, the band gets on the trailer to get their uniforms to change back on the bus.

9:15 a.m. After the band is in uniform, they get into formation to head to physical warm-ups.

9:37 a.m. FC marching band does physical exercises one hour before the performance.

By: Michael Pepin

Senior Oscar Anderson slices through the shining waters of the pool, the sun not even beginning to poke through the early dawn. So continues yet another practice, one of many that he has attended, and one of his last as a member of the swim team as his senior year draws to a close. This fall semester, he also spent countless hours with the marching band, helping them win a state title.

Anderson’s position on the swim team represents years of hard work.

“I first started swimming seven years ago because I thought it would be something fun to do and I liked to swim,” said Anderson.

On an average day, the alarm clock 4:45 a.m. when he finally pulls himself out of bed in order to meet an early swim practice before school until 7 a.m. From there, the busy school day takes over until after school where swim practice reigns again back at Highland Hills Middle school.

“I don’t really have time for almost anything because of the swim team. In the fall, I am barely able to squeeze in Marching Band, but that is it,” said Anderson.

He plans on attending Kenyen university in Ohio after graduating as a member of the class of 2013.

“They have a wonderful academic program and a high rating as a medical school. I want to be able to keep swimming in college and still become a doctor, so Kenyen is a great school for me,” said Anderson.

In the Marching Band, Oscar plays the baritone saxophone. Many describe him as an eccentric and good natured individual.

“You can’t really describe Oscar with one sentence, it just doesn’t work like that. He is unique and funny, slightly spontaneous at times. He is exellent with the baritone sax and as one of the leaders of the saxophone section,” said junior Brad Harbeson.

Even though Anderson has a lot going on, he still makes time for his family.

“Oscar and I are really close brothers, and I kind of look up to him at times, he is like my best friend. We do a lot of stuff together, like swimming, marching, hanging out with friends, we just do random stuff together all the time since we share the same interests. I am going to miss Oscar very much, even though I am going to get his room, it will still suck for him to go away to college,” said sophomore Eli Anderson, his brother.

Anderson also acknowledges that his family had a big impact on both his swimming career and his overall character.

“If there was anyone who ever influenced my life, it was my couch and parents. They really grew on me, the whole swim team. That’s kind of the reason I am the person I am today,” said Anderson.

Anderson claims that his senior year has been his best season yet, and his coach, Joe Perkins agrees.

“Last season Oscar surpassed my expectations for the season. He has earned a top 8 finish at the state meet last year in the 200 IM and a top 16 finish in the 100 backstroke.I am hoping he will be able to repeat his performances from last season at the high school state swim meet and continue to improve his times,” said Perkins.

With a college already chosen, Anderson can focus on his senior year and finishing his high school swim career.

“Its been a pleasure to watch Oscar grow as a person and a swimmer over the past four years. It is always a joy for a coach to watch hard work pay off. I hope he continues to swim in college and have great success at the next level.he has been a great kid to work with over the past 4 years. Like any senior I hope he has a great season, one he can truly enjoy and look back on without any regrets,” said Perkins.

By Derek Hanke

Marching band relationships can cause everything from distraction to increased satisfaction from band.

“If you’re dating someone within the band, you’re dating the band itself,” said senior Christian Thomas.

Being a veteran of a number of band relationships himself, Thomas can see both the positives and negatives of having one.

“You get to spend time together, but you’re also spending it with 120 of your closest friends,” Thomas said.

He thinks band relationships can turn out good or bad.

“It all depends on the people involved. There are some people who cause a lot of drama, and that’s not fun for anybody,” he said.

Sophomore Steven Pierce stands against band relationships.

“After my experience, I came away with new knowledge of why I shouldn’t be in a relationship in band,” he said.

Remaining professional is a priority to Pierce.

“I am against relationships because band is a completely serious thing, and a band relationship can get distracting,” said Pierce.

Pierce concedes that while band relationships may have benefits, they can also impair the marching band itself.

“A negative is that you can lose focus, and not use full potential,” said Pierce.

Pierce says he is okay with people who have them.

“I don’t have a problem with people being in a band relationship, I’m just going on past experience,” he said.

Senior Parker Lyons supports band relationships.

“When you’re already spending a lot of time with people in band, you’re presented with a great opportunity to date someone if that’s what you want,” said Lyons.

Lyons said band relationships are fine as long as they do not interrupt the ensemble.

“It’s important to keep things professional,” he said.

Lyons feels that outsiders are indifferent to dating within the band.

“People are okay with it. There’s always going to be a couple of people that aren’t okay with it, but that’s just their perspective,” said Lyons.

Junior Jacqueline Howard and her boyfriend sophomore Christian Bush have been in a successful band relationship for around five weeks.

“Band helped give us a lot more time together. It’s a great thing,” said Howard.

Howard is glad she is dating someone in band.

“Christian and I share the same interests and personality type,” said Howard.

Bush thinks the time spent together has an effect on the relationship.

“Band has brought us closer and given us more bonding time,” said Bush.

By Megan Hardin and Patrick Prifogle

Doing what no other FC band has done before, the marching Highlanders have accomplished something remarkable as they compete in the state finals for the fourth consecutive year tomorrow.

“It’s the best feeling ever knowing that we accomplished something that no other FC graduating class has done,” said senior Shelby Reynolds.

“It’s very honoring to know that for the first time in 50 years. We came to a level of success to go to state all four years. Our goal has been to be the first band to go to state four times and we did it. I’m glad the class of 2013 made history,” said senior Craig Keibler.

Going to state for the last four years has raised the band’s expectations.

“Our goal this year isn’t just going to state; it’s doing well at state,” said senior Christian Thomas.

After finishing no higher than sixth place their last three years, the band is really trying to step up their game even more.

“This band has the potential to do better than sixth,” said Thomas.

“I think we have stepped it up this year; we need to perform well to be the best,” said senior Ryan Marksbury.

“I hope we get better than sixth, because getting sixth is getting old,” added senior Matt Drescher.

The band’s high expectations throughout the season have led them to this weekend’s honor.

“We expected to go to state this year. I think we can get fourth or fifth,” said senior Will Fancher.

In order to stop the trend of sixth place finishes, a lot of preparation has been done.

“We are working harder and are more focused, cleaning up a lot more than we have before,” said senior Andrew Frieberger

“We are working on keeping the visuals and music together,” added senior Parker Lyons.

“We need to do better on music; marching is improving,” said senior Amber Sprigler.

With all the stress of state it can be easy to forget that this is the senior’s last attempt at greatness.

“It’s kind of sad because this is the last competition I’m ever going to do at this school with this group of people,” said senior Kayla Sumner.

“This year has been stressful; it’s amazing to know I get to do it one last time,” said Sprigler.

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Tag Archives: Marching band

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