Big Indian Marching Band Continues to Grow

     The Rural Retreat Marching Band is doing many things differently this year. While some important band members graduated last year, this year there are plenty of new leaders and marchers alike. A major step up from last year’s Harry Potter field show, the new Pirates of the Caribbean field show music is much harder. Also, the marching and visuals are more difficult. August 30, at Rural Retreat’s first football game, the marching band made their debut by marching and playing their first two songs. The third song was still in the works, and they should be prepared to play it soon.

     The color guard has a couple of new additions this year. Cassidy Bear, Zach Sheckles, and Zoe Chandler are all new to color guard, but they have learned quickly and have become part of the guard family. Zach is the only male on the color guard, and he has been a great addition. Zach has made the team even better, simply by being a guy. He shows that anybody, even males, can come and try out for color guard next year. They would love to have you!

Color guard has worked really hard so far this season. They plan to be even better this year than last year. They have had great summer practices and fundraisers.

     This year, the drum line and pit have changed a lot. Both drum line and pit have custom-written music. For the past couple of years, the pit has been extremely small. This year, seventh grade band members make up the majority of the pit. The drum line has also started doing many new things. They have begun to do more challenging warm-ups that help technique and sound. They have put forth more practice hours than last year, and have overall become more disciplined.

     In addition, the entire band got new uniforms this year. You may have seen the new color guard uniforms at last Friday’s game. The band is getting new uniforms this year, but they have not come in yet. All band members are very excited to get new uniforms. The whole band will look brand new!

- Anna Brown and Dylan Crigger