The band here at Lewis Cass competes all year round. Starting with conditioning in the summer, to working just as hard all through the season and the winter. Our band continues to work hard and show up for each other. Band is one of those things that feels like it is always going on and that is because it is. They do different things like marching band, pep band, concert band, jazz band, and winter percussion.
This Saturday, April 6, the band will perform in the State Finals at the Indiana State University Hulman Center, followed by playing at a National Competition April 18-19 that will take place in Daytona, Ohio. Looking into how the Band is feeling about the upcoming State, I know they have a good shot at a state title. The band has prepared for the state by having practices, breaking down what they needed to work on personally, and also continuing to practice the performance until everything was perfect, so they were as prepared as they could be.
From the band’s long season they have, they continue to build relationships and make memories with each other. Guard Captain, Faith Abbott, says, “Being guard captain this year really gave me a different perspective of marching band. I’ve always enjoyed it, but I didn’t necessarily know all of the behind-the-scenes. It was really cool because I felt so much more involved than in previous years. It’s always been like I was part of the process and puzzle, but I almost felt like I was helping create that this year rather than just being a part of it. The season started off a little rough. We got rained out of a lot of our football games, and we didn’t have great runs at our first few competitions. By our third comp, it was like a fire was lit within the group though.” Abbott continued, “All of a sudden, there was just a huge drive to always be better than the day before, at least in the guard. It was so amazing to watch people really start to invest themselves in the show. We really just kept getting better and better, until we got our state runner-up title. My favorite memories were definitely doing team bonding and performing at state. Team bonding games are always so fun, and they really just give a sense of connection to everyone else. Performing at state is always so much fun. Lucas Oil is huge from the field view, but it’s always like it doesn’t matter. The stadium always seems to melt away as I perform, and I just really love it. And I really think that this year’s guard group was amazing. We all got along really well, and we were always there for each other. Everyone was very supportive and we always cheered for each other when we learned a new toss or perfected a jump.”
When you hear the way the seniors talk about their band season so far, there is nothing but positivity. They have had a good year this year with winning competitions and even not winning, the band continues to get up and work even harder every time. They are not done yet though! Senior Abbey Hileman says, “The band this year has been fun to be a part of! Our marching show was called “Crossroads” and it was about choosing the right choices to go down the right path. We placed second in the state which is a major achievement. Other than marching band we have a lot of other winter programs. We have jazz band, pep band, concert band, and winter percussion. We are currently preparing to compete in concert band music in the ISSMA concert band competition in a few weeks. This weekend the winter percussion team is going to compete in the IPA State Final competition. The group is ranked 3/19 going into the competition. I am a part of the winter percussion group and the group has been so great to work with. Everyone gets along so well and practicing our music is easy. I think this year has been for the most part successful. Our groups are getting better every day and I am happy to be a part of it.”
As the band begins to come close to the end of their season, they still have a few final competitions they will be a part of with State this weekend and Nationals next week. Congratulations to the Lewis Cass Band for all of their hard work that continues to pay off. Good luck at the State Finals and the National Competition for the next few weeks! Go out and support your favorite band members!
