With the Pride Marching Band’s competition season coming to an end, the band has had many ups and downs.
The theme for this year’s show is called “The Surge”.
“The idea behind this year’s theme is a spark in all of us and it can transfer from one person to another,” band director Al Gunsch said.
This quote was reiterated by the band in dance and music form. The songs that were performed were “Energize,” ”Amplify”and “Element” owning up to the electric nature of the theme naming of the year.
At its first competition of the season at the 2023 Swamp Classic in Gautier, the Pride received a superior rating for drum majors,color guard,drumline and band, with the percussion receiving Best in Class.
According to assistant band director Derrick Willams,what has motivated them the most has been the band pushing for state and giving the seniors a good year to look back on.
The main struggle this year for the band was having 27 days of 105 degree heat, according to Gunsch and Willams.
As for the color guard, they ranked second overall best guard at the West Harrison Marching Festival. They also struggled with the heat, but their season also was also with sadness with the news of their color guard instructor tragically dying in a car accident on Oct 5.
Senior guard member Breanna Dearmon states, “For the team it was a hard hit the first day, but it pushed us to become more successful.”
The band will continue to perform at each of the remaining football games and will begin preparing for concert season.
