From hyping up the spirit at football games to winning 2nd place at Katy Marching Festival, the 2023 marching band season ended on an amazing note. Dedicated band members put months of hard work and commitment into this season, refining their show and performance during long July rehearsals at the start of summer band, countless after school rehearsals, and even stadium rehearsals just before football games.
It was an amazing season that created a new sense of community and spirit in the Jordan fine arts department. The band won accolades for Best Music, Best Band, Best Visual, and Best Color Guard at the US Bands Southeast Texas Championship.
“It’s basically a big fundraiser, but it’s also another chance to go get a trophy and compete against other bands and to continue to improve after Area,” senior percussionist Everett Myers ‘24 said. “A lot of people are starting to kind of shut down because they’re disappointed we were just one spot away [from making state]. But the goal is never comparing yourself against other people. It’s to improve the most as your individual player.”
The marching band began practicing its show in late July. The band dealt with a very hot summer, with temperatures ranging from 85 degrees to a high of 105. In July 2023, Texas saw a total of 25 days above 100 degrees, 24 of which were consecutive, the second-longest streak ever. Some members stated that they felt the heat and adverse conditions brought out the best in the band.
“Summer band – it was grueling. It was super hot this year, and it’s eight hours, five days a week, late July. It really prepares you for everything else during the year,” Myers said.
Once the school year had started, football season began. The band was ready to showcase their performance after months of hard work. Band members were excited to share their talents with the community.
“Marching season is rewarding in a way that I get to end up with a product of a show that I’m happy with, and I get to be with the people I love,” color guard member Ashkin Mehta ‘26 said. “Performing and having fun during the show Is so much fun and possibly the best feeling ever, especially under the stadium lights.”
There were a lot of changes going into this year. Most significantly, the Jordan Band & Guard increased in size as well as music production this year. Their ‘A Warrior’s Pathway’ performance in 2020 featured only 63 performers, compared to this year’s production “Shockra’ with 191 performers. This growth has brought leadership opportunities for students as they establish traditions and the culture of the JHS Marching Band.
“There’s a size difference, which means we’re louder,” Myers said. “But it also means there’s a lot more people to stick out when they’re not doing as good as the other ones.”
As the program’s members have matured, they have instilled discipline among the underclassmen.
“There’s been a discipline progression with the older kids,” Myers said. “My freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t know what was happening because there were no seniors or juniors to explain everything. The only people that had experience for that one year were at Tompkins, and then we took them over here. Our two classes had to figure it out on our own.”
Senior band members share advice with their younger peers, exerting leadership and fostering a positive environment along the way.
“What I usually do is I tell the younger kids to find a kind of flow state where they don’t think too much or they don’t get too nervous because we’ve done what we’re about to do so many times,” Myers said. “They just don’t make it any different. There’s going to be a crowd. It can be nervous, but you’ve got to realize they’re cheering you on. They want you to be successful.”
Color guard members have unique traditions that encourage them before performances.
“We have a bunch of team rituals where we like to take pixie sticks and we eat them and have mints and everything like that. I also make a checklist to make sure I have everything I need,” color guard leadership council member Tanay Young ‘25 said. “Before every competition, we all have a cute little handshake with each other, and as team traditions, we take a pixie stick and an altoid and repeat some affirmations to relieve stress.”
As the marching season ends, the Jordan Band & Guard go their separate ways, with musicians playing in concert band or symphony band, and the color guard spinning rifles and flags in winter guard. Though the 2023 marching season is over, the memories of this season will live on.
“Sometimes you need to put down the flag or instrument and think about how grateful you are to be there,” Mehta said. “The moments where I’m having the most fun in guard are the moments where I’m letting myself go and not letting the stress get to me.”
