The Spring Valley Grizzly Regiment, also known as marching band, is preparing for the new 2023-2024 season. With this new season, they are preparing for football games, competitions, and even performances within the school year.
“I am really excited for the competitions this year,” said drum major Sinni Kim. “We have some jazz concept of music and hopefully some trumpet solos this season.”
With a new season, the team has been preparing many new players this year. Most of these players come from the ensemble section, which adds the extra pressure to the leaders in that particular section.
“The team received many new members, especially my section, so I’m excited and looking forward to seeing how that turns out,” said front ensemble’s section leader Anjie Lee. “I’m nervous about the days we have practice and whether or not we’ll have enough time to put a show together and get it done well. Not having enough practice affects how people get things memorized and the show may come out poorly.”
Despite the added pressure with new players, the leaders found the positive side of the new members. This comes with new opportunities to grow as a team and come together.
“There are a lot of new faces in the pit section,” said assistant section leader Morgan Bocobo. “But I am excited for the new members because they are doing something new and they are learning things well.”
Being on a team always means improving on skills that were already established. With the band, there is always something new to learn or even improve on.
“’I’m planning on improving my technique,” Lee said. “As well as my leadership skills in order to become a better leader and help everyone out more.”
Marching band is mainly preparing for multiple competitions this season. With big audiences, there is a lot of pressure to be better than any other year.
“I am really excited for the shows we have this year,” Kim said. “But performing and directing the band overall is nerve racking, especially being the center of attention. It is a big audience watching us, especially at games and shows.”
Even with a big audience watching them, the team comes together to build strong relationships from now to the end of the season. But marching band isn’t always about building relationships.
“Marching band is really a big social experience, you meet a lot of people and build friendships throughout the band and in your own section,” Lee said. “It also means being able to have self discipline and knowing when it’s time to focus and get your part down. Being together as a group is extremely important as well as individuality.”
