Last weekend, October 6th, the Lion band traveled to Vista Ridge to compete in a marching competition against 16 other schools. The Leander band took 3rd overall, and won several other awards: Outstanding Auxiliary (Color Guard), Outstanding Percussion, and 2nd in Prelims.
While the band is okay with 3rd, there is always room for improvement. The band had just finished learning their show, and now they have time to “clean” (make precise sounds and twirl their flags in time). There are a few little extra surprises to add in, but all that’s left is mainly perfection.
“We’re really trying to get better every day. What we do at practice and what we did at Vista is just not a very good comparison. We were out of tune, and there were just so many mistakes. It’s hard and the pressure is on at the very first competition of the year, and some of the freshmen have never done this before. It’s two very different things at practice and when we perform. We get all that heat and that nervousness, and if we get over our fears of performing, we are going to be so much better,” sophomore trumpet player Jacob Scott Ostrander said.
The band is looking forward to going to the Lone Star Preview Competition in Houston this weekend, October 13th. “We’re going to be head to head with Vandegrift and some more amazing bands, and it’s going to be great!” Ostrander said. “The panel of judges is second to none in the activity and we are looking forward to really great feedback from them to help us prepare for Bands of Americas in San Antonio on November 3rd. The students are working very hard to make sure they are at the top of their game this Saturday!” Assistant band director, Mrs. Cross said.