The sights and sounds of Washington, D.C., provided unforgettable moments for the band and color guard during their recent trip, blending music, competition, and history.
For many students, the trip was about more than just performances.
“My favorite moment of the trip was sitting down in the World War II Memorial and looking up at the Washington Monument,” Jared Gillam, 10, said. “I asked myself if this was real.”
Gillam plays baritone for the band.
Performing in such historic spaces brought new meaning to their music.
“Instead of focusing as much on the music, I looked up and took in what was around me,” Gillam said of their experience playing at the memorial.
In addition to performing at the World War II Memorial, the band had a special chance to play alongside Robinson Secondary School from Fairfax, VA. The collaboration brought a unique energy, as the two schools rehearsed together for only about an hour before performing a combined piece. Out of the many highlights of the trip, Gilliam said the monuments left the biggest impression.
“Finally looking out at the Washington memorial with all my friends around me from the Lincoln Memorial was my favorite part,” Gillam said.
For color guard members, competition took center stage. Winning their event was a high point.
“It actually felt really good to win this time,” Allie Brotherton, color guard, 10, said. “We were in a higher-up class than usual, so it was extra special.”
The success, they said, stemmed from the team’s close connection during rehearsals. However, the trip had its challenges.
“The clinic we did at Purdue University was hard because they were doing more advanced skills than we normally do,” Brotherton said. “It was tough to watch each other struggle, but we still got it.”
Long bus rides tested both groups’ endurance. Gillam leaned on sleep and games, while Brotherton relied on naps and books. Despite the fatigue, the experiences from the National mall to unexpected performances left lasting impressions.
“I’ll always remember when our score was announced at the competition,” Brotherton said. “Our jaws were on the floor.”
For these students, the nation’s capital proved to be more than a destination. It was a classroom, stage, and a place for memories that will last a lifetime.
