Every step, toss, and note that is taken upon the field for every Friday Night game is rehearsed months prior to perform to the filled stadium accompanied with the fellow proud panther community.
The halftime performance is captivating on the condition that dance is the hidden language of the soul. As a result, many of the members’ interest was first initiated by recognizing the united community. Band performer Lily Gunderson shared, “My dad’s first job was working as a band director, he has always encouraged my love for music and joining band was an opportunity for me to connect with him and enjoy music in a way I hadn’t before.”
However, there are several members of the band that have always been infatuated with the sound of music. “I’ve been playing the saxophone for five years now, and it’s become a part of my routine,” Ximena Rojas expresses. “I’ve always enjoyed music–it’s something that makes me feel relaxed and focused.”
While the members make their way onto the field they not only have to carry their equipment, but they also have to carry the expectation of the perfected performance. The demand for a precise movement during each execution is extremely important as they have to endure many practices to perfect every toss of rifle and flag, along with remembering each note and the tune of instruments. Members from both color guard and band have expressed their frustration in the conditions that they have to prepare in.
“Practicing in the hot summer almost everyday is challenging” along with “performing while it’s very windy is difficult because it interferes with our technique,” said color guard members Andrea Sadler and Ashley Saldivar. Ximena Rojas concurs as she communicates that outdoor rehearsals on the grid could lead to getting distracted by the weather, noise, or just the size of the field due to its big and open space. “Sometimes people start chatting or lose track of where we are in the music.” Gunderson states that the Texas heat is not the only challenge that the band faces, but many performers also compete with distractions such as stressing over homework or keeping everyone engaged and motivated day after day.
The intense crowd of people observing the display of colorful flags and the harmony of music that goes along with it could be arduous at times. “When preparing I mostly just pray, take what I need to work on the most, and do handshakes for good luck before we go out,” said by Sadler.
While Ashley Saldivar states that she prepares by doing tosses in which she knows she may have struggled with then mentally preparing herself as she knows that not every performance is going to be perfect.
Regardless of the amount of effort put into their dedication for their routine, the performing arts team also has to be proactive towards their education. “Band is really time consuming between rehearsals, football games, competitions, and concert sea son, it takes up a big chunk of my week,” said Ximea Rojas (11th).
“I am able to divide my schedule into blocks of time specifically designated for certain tasks and ensure I am making efficient use of my time,” is stated by Gunderson who also attempts to prevent falling behind in school work. Nevertheless, Ximena Rojas elaborates that the band has allowed her to build better habits over time, such as using downtime more wisely and learning to focus when things get hectic for her.
However, the memories and family that is built within the community overpowers the drawbacks. Sadler and Saldivar expressed that performing at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and winning first place gave them an opportunity to realize that their hard work and dedication was worth it. Paschal Band has also given Lily Gunderson and many of the band members the chance to perform at the AT&T Stadium for the US Band Southwestern Championships.
While Ximena Roja has more light hearted moments such as waiting to perform at the Parade of Lights her freshman year and her fellow bandmates decided to put their maracas inside their bell due to the cold weather and wanting to warm their hands up. As the time to start performing was approaching people began attempting to get the maracas out but were not able to, so panic struck them. The last resolution was to break the maracas in order to get them out. “It was one of those moments of chaos and genuine laughter that stuck with me.”
Band and Color guard has given many individuals not only the opportunity for advancement, but also an opening to express their individuality. Coming across groups of people who share similar interests and struggles as you result in creating an ambience of a sense of belonging. “Meeting new people and teaching them something that you are very passionate about is one of the best parts of color guard,” Ashley Saldivar mentions.
The sense of unity continues to grow despite the environment, being defeated, or the stress that at times invades their thinking. The encouragement that is promoted throughout the teams is a significant factor for determination. Lily Gunderson states “little things like joking around during a water break or celebrating when a part of the show finally clicks helps remind us of the big picture we are working towards beyond how we may feel during a difficult rehearsal.” Extracurricular activities have provided growth, identity, and foundation for many. “It’s helped me grow not just as a musician, but as a person,” Rojas voices.
As the football season ends and competitions continue, both Band and Color Guard proceed to create memorable experiences and overcome difficulties they encounter. With Paschal High School’s spirit, togetherness, and passion, they will continue to fill the stadium with pride.
