Marching Dodgers: Believe the Hype

This Sunday, November 6 2016, the Madison Marching Dodgers took their show to Hershey Park! This season, starting at the end of August of 2016, has been one of the Marching Band’s best seasons so far. This year was the band’s largest year, with a grand total of 84 members, larger than any group in the rest of the school.

This years performance, titled “Cityscapes” takes the audience through a day of life in the city. Thanks to the Marching Band’s dedicated staff, students, and volunteer parents, the band was able to qualify for Atlantic Coast Championships at Hershey Park.

With a score of 91.50 at their qualifying competition, the Marching Band placed in 8th for the entire East Coast, going into ACC’s. Since Band Camp at the end of August, the Marching Band has practiced and performed for over 250 hours, all within two months! Along with that, each member of the Band has spent hours at home, memorizing their music and drill for the performance. With practices every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, every student and staff related to the Marching Band has devoted their mind body and soul into perfecting their 9 minute performance, from start to finish.

The day before ACC’s, the Band had a 7 hour practice, starting at 10 AM, going until 5 PM. This detail oriented full day practice took a large toll on the minds and bodies of the band members, but after many similar practices in the past, the Marchers were able to shake it off easily. The next morning, the Marching Dodgers were at the High School at 6:30 AM, ready to board the buses with their uniforms, instruments, and determination. On their 3 hour bus ride, the Band spent their time going over their show in their head, and mentally preparing for the last show of the 2016 Season.

Upon arriving at Hershey Park in full uniform, the Marching Dodgers exited the buses, and got to work doing visual and musical warm ups for 2 hours, the Band was finally ready to perform. At 12:15, the Marching Dodgers went to the gate to enter the field, as the band before them, Middletown, started their show. Upon arriving at the gate, the Dodgers turned around, away from the performing band, to think over their show one more time. To think of their choreography, their drill, and their music. At 12:30, once Middletown had exited the field, the Band was on the field, ready for their last performance. Suddenly, the show began.

The Band took the audience through an amazing performance of what a day in the city would be like. Upon finishing the last performance of the 2016 season, the band exited the field to take a group photo of the last time this band would be in full uniform with the people who were in it that year. The last photo of the group the way it was that season. After finishing the photos, the Band marched back to the bus to put away their instruments, shakos, and plumes, and promptly went back to the stadium to receive their scores and placement. The Drum Majors, the student leaders of the bands, went on to the field with three other seniors in the band, and the rest of the Band went into the stands.

After all the anxiety from waiting, the Marching Dodgers were awarded with a 92.25 which put them in 9th place for all the hardwork and dedication they had put into the Marching Band program. The band also got 3rd place for their woodwinds and 6th for the brass out of all the competitors. Although it was a sad day, seeing all the seniors perform for the last time, it was also great, that they could end their High School marching band career with such an amazing show.