After a year of cancelled competitions due to covid, the Monarch marching band is ready to perform again. This season, however, they have decided to make a change from their usual schedule. The change has come from the marching band not being able to showcase their previous show from last season. They will be performing two different shows: one for football halftime shows titled ‘Blues Brothers’ and one for marching band competitions titled ‘Pandora’s Box’. 

Since the summer, marching band members have been working hard to perfect their performance. The marching band has morning rehearsals beginning at 7 a.m. each day before school.

Senior trumpet section leader Ashley Llewellyn, along with other members, practice fundamental marching skills and run different parts of the show. They work on specific sets and whole movements in order to perfect their performance.

Seeing the show come together throughout the marching season is a rewarding experience for many band members.

“It has been something that I have loved to do my entire high school career,” Llewellyn said.

Marching band members are eager to present their shows this upcoming season. Yet with the excitement comes hardships that students must overcome.

“It’s challenging to have to teach younger people who have never done competitions before how to act for competitions or how to learn two shows in one year,” Llewellyn said.

Much of the marching band experience comes from performing at large competitions.

“[Competitions] are one of my favorite parts of marching band for all of us to express ourselves and actually get to prove what we’ve learned,” Llewellyn said. “It’s nice to perform for people that care a lot about marching bands and perform in front of judges.”

This is just the start of the marching band season. The Monarch marching band will continue to work diligently in order to showcase their passion and talent.