“We just had our annual Band-O-Rama, where we invite the incoming ninth grade students to play with our marching band as well as perform our show so they are aware of what marching band consists of,” said assistant marching band director Laura Bertermann.

The band has been working very hard for upcoming competitions.

“The band started preparing in the middle of July, by learning drill, music, choreography for the guard and beginning to put it all together. The band rehearses daily during the school day, and the week of a competition we have a two-hour night rehearsal. Individually, the students need to memorize their music, drill and choreography so that when the band rehearses together we can progress as an ensemble,” Bertermann said.

The band placed second in the Renegade Musicfest in Sandwich, Illinois.

The State Marching Band Competition at Illinois State University in Normal, IL, was on October 22, and the band placed fourth in class AAA.

“The Marching Knights also won the coveted Crowd Appeal award. This award is given by the judges and goes to the best overall thematic show concept and perfomance,” said band director Candace Edstrand. “They did an outstanding job.”

Competition is different for the band this year, including a new conference and great music.

“We went to a new competition in Waukesha, WI, as well as attending the Illinois State Competition as our final competition. We continually work toward getting better at every performance whether it’s a home football game or a band competition. Our goal as a program is to continue to improve throughout the season so that the last performance is our best performance,” Bertermann said.

Section leader’s have had a big part in the band’s success this year.

“As a section leader you have a lot of responsibility, but contributing to the band’s success is always rewarding,” said section leader Bethany Newby.