Imagine you’re standing in the middle of Maverik Stadium at Utah State University. Thousands of people staring over you, anticipating the show you’ve put hundreds of hours into. Then seven minutes later it’s done.
Earlier this October, the Grizzly Marching Band had the privilege of traveling to Logan, Utah, and competing in the Bridgerland Band Invitational against some of the best high school marching bands in the nation.
Although competing isn’t a new experience, travelling for one is. “We got up pretty early and we were ready for a 16-hour day.” Ethan Gray said. Band members that day had to get up before 7:30 the day of the competition so they could have enough time to eat breakfast and get ready. Then they all got onto a bus and went to Maverik Stadium. At the stadium, they watched other school’s performances. Then it was time to warm up and prepare for their show.
Learning their show was no easy task. The band director, Mr. Dewitt, added up all the hours the band has put in since May 5, 2024 and it totaled 287 hours outside of class. Ethan Gray speaks on the process of learning the music and what went into preparing, “I really cracked down on that… I did so much like learning music and then forgetting it again.” They continued, “But when I actually learned it, it was definitely really fun… I think it’s coming together pretty well.”
“I remember being pretty excited” Gray talks about what happened after the performance. “I think that was kind of the general consensus of everyone, just that we improved a lot.” After it, the band members stayed to enjoy ice cream, snow cones, other foods, and many great performances from some of the best high school bands.
After the night was over, the band got on the bus with a feeling of pride and success. After they got back to the hotel, most members went straight to bed but others stayed up late to celebrate.
