On Friday, Sept. 8, before the hail storm caused a change of plans, the marching band was gearing up for their first performance in front of the school. Their show is based on the band’s 2014 show called “Tapestries of Our Nation.” The show revolves around a theme of diversity in America and being united, despite differences. 

The band itself reflects this theme. The program is diverse, and the members formed a strong bond after practicing together for hours each day in the summer. “I was finally able to interact with people I could relate to, and it was nice having good friends — especially through the struggles of band camp,” sophomore trumpet player Bhanuteja Alluri said. “That hail storm was a unique experience because we couldn’t do anything else but talk with our friends and wait on further instruction.”

While the band waited, their nerves and excitement built up. Junior flute soloist Arjun Alagappa has three solos in “Tapestries of our Nation.” This season is the first time Alagappa will perform solos for the marching band. During band camp, he spent his time practicing his music while the rest of the band practiced their drill and marching technique. “I’m definitely nervous [to] play in front of a big crowd, but I think I’ll do well,” Alagappa said.

Despite having been a soloist in his previous season, senior alto saxophonist Elias Park also felt nervous in the time building up to the show before the cancellation. The solo from last year’s show was much shorter than the solo Park is playing in this year’s show. “[Being a soloist is] a little bit less nerve-wracking this year, because I already did it last year, so I just have to do it again,” Park said. “I’ve become more confident in my ability, and it’s a little easier playing music when you know you can play it.”

Senior Drum Major Bella Pilgreen joined the marching band in middle school, so she witnessed the band at its finest — pre-pandemic.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band lost a season of competitions, traditional practices, and football games, which led to a cultural and fundamental shift in the program. “The last time we had a traditional Rock Ridge show was right before COVID happened,” Pilgreen said. “[The pandemic] completely knocked down everyone; we were not where we were once before.”

Throughout her five years in the program, Pilgreen has watched the band get broken down and built back up. After the pandemic, more students — including middle school students — joined the band program. “The middle school players have now gotten really good,” Pilgreen said. “Now, learning music doesn’t take us long and everything is really efficient.”

Pilgreen’s goal was to bring back the culture and standard that she had experienced in her first year as a middle school musician in the marching band. “Everything is returning to the way it was in my eighth-grade year, which is nice,” Pilgreen said. “I wanted to bring back the program.”

Conducting Chords:

Senior drum major Bella Pilgreen conducts the band through their stand tunes to welcome the students entering the gym for the pep rally. Pilgreen became drum major in her junior year, and while the experience was fun, it can also be scary. “I’m very nervous because this is my first [season] starting the show by myself,” Pilgreen said. “Last year the other drum major started the show, but this time I’m the one who has to count the whole band in, and it’s a little scary.”

Photo by: Aarohi Motwani

Fake Outs and Friendships:

Sophomore Bhanuteja Alluri fakes out junior Maanu Karthikeyan after putting his hand out for a handshake. Band allowed Karthikeyan to make friends in a setting that made her more comfortable than in a regular school environment. “Even though I’d say I’m someone who’s normally super shy, especially around new people, when I’m in marching band, I don’t feel scared to talk to people or to be more outgoing, so I found it a lot easier to make friends within the band,” Karthikeyan said. “Seeing everyone pretty much every day makes it easy to talk to people and form close friendships; you spend so much of your time with these people that you eventually learn to get really comfortable with everyone.”

Photo by: Aarohi Motwani

Pep and Practice:

Practicing to welcome the kids at the pep rally, sophomore Nila Divakar keeps time on the bass drum. The drumline is composed of three snare drummers and four bass drummers. The lead snare, senior Shoumik Bisoi, has led the band for two years. “Junior year was especially rough because I was the only snare,” Bisoi said. “This year is a lot less [stressful] because the [part] is split between three [snare drums], so the pressure isn’t as bad as last year.”

Photo by: Aarohi Motwani

Photographs of Fun:

Freshman Shravya Sai Chindepalli and sophomores Janani Kannan and Mohammed Talukder take a snapshot of the other band members making jokes and posing for the camera. “I think band has played a huge role in [my ability] to make friends,” Kannan said. “When things get tough and we see each other at our lowest, it brings comfort in knowing someone can relate. It’s made me so much closer with my friends and get to meet new people, all while experiencing our hard work paying off.”

Photo by: Aarohi Motwani