One hundred and ninety-two members of the Saratoga Marching Band marched at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State University last Saturday and delivered one of their best performances of the year in their final competition.
Students and parents rejoiced as they learned that the band would be taking a second place trophy back home in the 5A class at the Western Band Association’s NorCal Super Show. Grants Pass High from Oregon finished first, Liberty High third and Lincoln High fourth.
The band met at school for a 9 a.m. rehearsal and set off for Sacramento at around 1 p.m., arriving at the stadium at around 5 p.m. for a scheduled 7 p.m. performance. With confidence, the band aced the performance with outstanding choreography that charmed the judges.
The band scored 85.325, winning the caption award for high visuals.
“I thought we did great,” director Jason Shiuan said. “I think it was awesome to see that this year, we got a really high score that I don’t think we’ve gotten in recent years. So I think that was really exciting to see the judges recognizing the work that we’ve been putting in.”
Additionally, on Oct. 25, the band competed at the annual Cupertino Tournament of Bands, placing first in the 5A class with a score of 79.150. They also performed their show, “The Threads Between Us,” at several non-scored events, including the school’s senior night, the FUHSD Expo and multiple football game events.
“We had a really great season,” senior drum major Matthew Liu said. “A lot of us are really, really proud of the work we accomplished, especially given how it’s a whole journey — from the beginning of the marching band camp, everyone coming in, freshmen coming in, people will be unsure of how the season is going. But I think as we progressed, we really found ourselves and worked really hard until the end.”
However, such accomplishments would not have been possible without members’ unwavering commitment, rehearsing over 12 hours a week and often spending entire weekends on competitions.
The show was especially significant for the 31 seniors of the marching band to take home one last win during high school, especially as most have been with the band since freshman year.
“I think I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons from marching band — life lessons that will carry with me on into the future. It’s been a really great experience. I’ve had a lot of fun and I’ve made a lot of great memories,” said Liu.
As the marching band season comes to an end, the music department will switch its focus to additional events outside of marching band, especially with programs such as winter percussion, winter guard and jazz band starting up again.
Those who are too impatient to wait until next year’s theme will have to wait for the reveal next year. The show is already in the works, but Shiuan has yet to drop any hints for members. As he told the band, “You guys will never get anything out of me until kickoff.”
