Garrett Griffin

The muggy air was somewhat suffocating as bugs flew aimlessly around the towering stadium lights, falling to their demise into a tray of cold nachos. The Linden-Kildare band had just completed their performance, and the Redwater Dragon band was making its way onto the field. They proceeded to play music for the Redwater Dazzler drill team to perform their choreographed dance. The award-winning Redwater band was ready to usher in a new year of musical enjoyment.

A Redwater color guard member smiles while she performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

The band moved to their first position of the show by way of a theatrical act in reference to the subject of their show: The Rise and Fall of Rome. The Friday night lights glistened off the scintillating bells of the sousaphones. The press box announcer asked the drum major, “Is your band ready?” She responded with a salute and the band awaits her signal of initiation. The half-time show at Redwater High School homecoming football game was about to begin its second section.

The band stepped off at the count into a movement across the field while playing an energetic introduction to the first of three movements. Tonight they were showcasing the new uniforms, a combination of modern styling and traditional marching attire.

A saxophonist plays her solo during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

This year’s show is in many ways similar to the show the band played in 2011, the year during which the students’ determination allowed them to advance all the way to state to claim the 2nd place prize for best marching band in the 2A category. I was part of that team and can say that it was a life-changing event for me.

During the second movement, a slower, softer chorale, a saxophonist played a solo. A solo is a great way to impress the judges at any competition because a single player has no way to cover up mistakes; they are vulnerable, prepared for sacrifice.

The Redwater Drumlines performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

The show continued on, but the third movement was not played, because the band was still learning their movements. It will have to be as flawless as possible for the first contest that the band traditionally attends: The Four States Marching Competition at Grim Stadium in Texarkana.

This experience from the first event will help students prepare for the subsequent contests leading up to their ultimate goal of playing at the State Finals Competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This year will likely be a year of the dragon for Redwater High School’s Marching Band.