Do you play an instrument and want to compete for judges and an audience? You should consider joining the West High Marching Band! Marching Band Season occurs September through November. Marching Band’s Mission is to be innovative, educational, and technologically progressive in partnership with the community.

Some standards and objectives students will do are to play a varied repertoire of music on their instruments, listen to and analyze music critically, use the language of music, and develop the skills and knowledge to understand and perform music. Competing in marching band includes all day trips on Saturdays and/or Sundays and required uniforms.

I spoke to Senior Elizabeth Akomah, who has been in marching band and has been in the program for four years. I asked Akomah some questions about marching band and some details on her own personal experience being in the program. Akomah explained she likes to get at least 30 minutes a day of practice with her clarinet. I asked Akomah about how often the band competes. She explained that the band competing could vary but most likely being every weekend.

Akomah says her favorite part about being in band is the community and explains, “Even when band gets stressful and overwhelming everyone still is having a great time and keeps a good attitude.” Akomah plays the clarinet and says that she chose it because she enjoys the idea of playing woodwinds and that it’s a simple instrument to play. I asked Akomah what her best learned skill in marching band is, she says she is much better at managing her time with learning music and to march.

If you are feeling passionate about an instrument and want to take that to the next step and challenge yourself, you should consider joining marching band by visiting Mr. Raman’s room K2 or emailing [email protected].