by Monica Brewer

As we transition into Oct., marching band competition dates are coming up.  This is a very stressful month for most of the members, not only because members have to clean up certain parts of drills for the four songs, but because they have to apply everything learned about the music, drills, and continue practicing.

This year the 3A category got a little bit bigger, with 2 more schools on our category, which include Creston and Harlan.  The Trojan Guard strives for not being in last place (out of a group of 7 different schools this year.)  Members practice again and again to better themselves to be the best marcher they can, and to show off to other schools.

Before the band gets to contests, members go through the process to get their uniforms and when they put it on, they go through playing warm-ups and wait until it’s their school’s turn to march in the parade or on the field.  The hardest part of performing the parade portion is the hour long wait before they even get to perform.

When the band goes to Clarinda, they first go to judging for the parade marching portion of the contest.  Judges look to see if members are in step, in their lines, and playing the songs correctly.

There is also a field portion of the contest, where things get a little stricter.  Band participants can’t move if mistakes are made, can’t stop to rest, and are constantly being under close watch.  Most importantly, it’s where marching really matters.

When the band gets on the field, there are a couple judges that come out to watch them perform and play.  They also make comments into recorders, saying what they like or don’t like about the guard’s performance.  If any member of the band moves at anytime they’re marking time or halted, the judges will know and dock off points.

The judges are sometimes in the way of where the guard is marching.  If a judge is in the way, you run them over.  If you go through them, they’ll respect that you’re getting to your spot instead of moving around them and having your group’s score docked.  Don’t stop to apologize to them either.  Members don’t want the burden of having their team getting docked points just because they spoke up during a performance.

After a performance is done and members get off the field, it’s the best feeling in the world.  Knowing that all the work someone puts in is worth it in the end.  After the hard work, members check in the uniforms, eat, and wait until the results come in.

There was a time that the band had 7 consecutive ones at state marching band (in a period of 2005 to 2011).  The Trojan Guard is hoping for another 1 at State Marching in Treynor, and to improve from last year at Clarinda and Fieldfest in Glenwood.