As the football season ends, so do the Freedom’s Big Red Marching Band’s halftime performances. In the off-season, the band spends their time practicing for concert band, which every member of the band is required to participate in. Not only are members of the band required to perform in both marching band and concert band, but they must also participate in numerous parades and other events. Band allows students to broaden their horizons by allowing them to participate in a variety of activities and performances.
Throughout the season, the marching band participates in a variety of parades, including a Kennywood parade on Aug. 13, the Big Knob Fair opening day ceremony on August 29, the homecoming parade on Sept. 28, and the New Brighton Halloween parade on Oct. 25. They also participated in both Conway’s and Freedom’s parades on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11.
During this season, the marching band’s music theme was Halftime Hits. This included songs such as “Runaway Baby”, by Bruno Mars, “Live and Let Die”, by Paul McCartney, “Bye Bye Bye”, by NSYNC and “Who Are You”, by the Who. The marching band also played songs such as “Viva La Vida”, by Coldplay. The band would occasionally play this song at the end of a quarter during a football game.
To prepare for the past marching band season, band members attended a band camp with days ranging from July 31 to August 11. Students were also required to attend after-school practices that were held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. With all that practice, members of the marching band were able to memorize their music.
“My most memorable moment of marching band season was senior night, because it’s our last home game with our seniors, and overall, it’s just a fun experience to hang out with them one final time,” sophomore Alexander Micon said.
Now that the season for the marching band has ended, the band starts to gear their focus towards concert band, which is what the band does in the winter. They have multiple performances throughout the cold months. On Dec. 19, the band will have a winter concert, which includes the jazz band. Members of the jazz band attend after-school practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students of the jazz band also perform for the elementary school students. Since every student in the band takes the class taught by Ms. Emily Rickard, they have some additional in-school time to learn their music. Students are also required to take their instruments home so that they can practice further.
“As we begin concert band, I’m looking forward to playing some really excellent music both at the Winter and Spring Concert. Additionally, our jazz band program has started rehearsing for our Winter concert as well. I’m also looking forward to all of the festivals and honors groups that our students will be participating in.” Rickard said.
Band is a year-round activity that students get to participate in. Not only do they learn the responsibility of having a daily commitment, but they also learn the responsibility of taking care of their instruments. Students have the opportunity to go to different events and create new experiences. Members also bond with each other since they spend a large chunk of their time together practicing their music, which allows them to create bonds with one another.