By: Haley Cox
The temperature hovered just two degrees under 100, which is great if you plan to spend a day at the lake, but the EHS Marching Band was nowhere near a lake. Under the direction of Phuong Nguyen, the band has been practicing its shows since mid-summer, culminating into a Marchathon scheduled for this Monday, September 19. Senior color guard member Martha Rincon (‘12) says she thinks the band has made “major strides” since her senior year, and that (follow the jump for more info!) it’s “definitely a completely different band. Nguyen has instilled in us that it takes dedication. I would also give credit to the class that has been here with him since freshman year. We’ve seen what it takes to make it all the way and what it’s like when you don’t get there.”
Sophomore trumpet player Samantha Muse (‘14) credits her involvement in band to the people involved. “I like the environment. It’s never just about the grade, it’s about the family.” The band is hoping to make it to state this year after a disappointing show at last year’s regional competition, placing sixth out of seven bands. They did, however, improve upon their overall score and achieve an excellence award later in the year at a concert band competition. The band’s drum major, Karelly Arroyo (‘12), said “We’re going to state. I really think that this year we can go.”
Though early practice is important if the band wants to go to state competition, so is the overall attitude of the band as they grind through early morning practices, Saturday practices, classes, and sectionals after school. During morning class on September 14, Nguyen told the band how hard they had been working and how proud he was. He did caution, however, that the hard work must continue. Arroyo said, “We’ve become dedicated and passionate rather than just a class in school.”
The EHS Band will be performing a show called Elements, with four movements including Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. They are expected to play Air and debut Water at this Friday’s home football game against Highland. Fans can donate to the band by contacting Director Phuong Nguyen or through the band’s Marchathon scheduled for this Monday, September 19. Fans who hope to donate to the band’s Marchathon can pledge a minute-by-minute amount to any band students, knowing that they will be marching from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., or for 240 minutes. The band will be performing the show at the EHS football field at 7 p.m. on Monday. “We’re giving the community a taste of what we’re about this year,”said Arroyo.