By Gabbie Meisner
On November 4, the Marching Patriots attended the National Championships for USBands Open Class. Often, the only thing discussed by the Great Valley community is the result of a competition. However, the Great Valley Marching Patriots have so much more to them than just ranks or scores at competitions. They work fiercely as a team, generating melodies from a variety of instruments to create a harmonious show. One may argue that there is hardly a more closely knit group than a marching band.
Most people do not recognize the extreme talent and hardworking attributes that the marching band musicians have. Before the school year starts, they have their own preseason, known as band camp. For two weeks, the Marching Patriots become acquainted with their instruments and sections and work out to prepare for the difficult movement each show entails. They have long rehearsals, rain or shine, freezing or hot, tired or not. The amount of work that is put into every aspect of the show they perform is not always credited for.
Each section of the band has its part in the band. However different the sections may be, from instrument to number of people to their part in the show, they are all important to creating the big picture. Providing the beat and percussion while adding aspects of movement to the show is the battery section. Senior Simiyu Wafula leads this section while playing the snare drum. Wafula said that he values “the people and connections” the most in the band.
Next there is the brass section. Led this year by Junior Luca Scott, the brass section includes many instruments: trombones, tubas, baritones, mellophones, and trumpets. The brass section is one of the loudest sections in the band, so it is the main thing the audience hears, according to Scott.
The next large section of the band is the woodwinds. This section includes flutes, piccolos, clarinets, and saxophones. It is led this year by Junior Alec Zhu, a clarinetist. The woodwinds and brass section work together to create the melodies and harmonies of the band. Zhu stated that the woodwinds have more complex rhythms in their music compared to the brass section.
As indicated in its name, the front ensemble stays close to audience in the front of the band. Also called the pit section, the instruments are in the form of boards, and Great Valley uses 6 of them. There are two marimbas, one xylophone, three vibraphones, a piano, a drum rack, and various other percussion instruments. The pit captain this season is Junior Cynthia Wu, who pointed out that the purpose of the pit section is to “add more spice” to the music. Wu noted that the music for pit is more complex and does things that the other parts of the band cannot. Wu compared the band to a cake, saying the marching instruments are the foundation, the spongy part of the cake, and the pit is the icing and decorations on top.
The last part of the band, one that many eyes are drawn to during the performance, is the color guard. With intricate and complex skills like flag throwing and waving, they provide a visual to the show. The color guard enhances each show with a magnitude of skill, from the makeup to the outfits to the flags and other skills.
The drum major connects the whole of the instruments to pull the show together. Standing on a podium, the drum major establishes the beat, arguably the most important part to make the band work together. This year the drum majors were Senior Lila Dibble and Senior Sean Hetzel. Along with keeping time, both drum majors are very skilled at their instruments, and have been a part of marching band for a long time.
No matter what the show is or what the band wins, all the captains agreed that they value the community aspect of the band. Luca Scott remarked that “marching band has by far the strongest and most powerful culture I have been a part of.” What is remarkable is that although the band competes, they never really feel as if they are competing with each other. From my own observation, bands from different schools are constantly interacting with each other in a positive way, like during their break in a football game; they all share fries together while praising the other’s performance. Although they compete, they share the community together and value the time spent together.
The Great Valley Marching Patriots truly work together like a family. Everyone in the band supports each other and works hard to create something very special, according to Alec Zhu. Every person I talked to about the band has shared many happy memories. They shared the amazing bonds they have created and the vibrant community of the Marching Patriots. This group truly has an abundance of talent, showmanship, community, and love for each other.