On Oct. 5, the Marching Broncos traveled to Emporia State University for their first competition of the season. Their show theme was the music of “Bill Chase” which consisted of multiple trumpet solos and a saxophone solo with a ’70s feel. They placed first overall out of nine bands. They also swept the caption awards.

“This is the first time the guard has ever won outstanding color guard in the history of the school. I’m so excited. That’s crazy to me,” Lily Haney, 12, color guard captain, said.

This year, the color guard had 12 members on the field with two alternates. The color guard scored 82 out of 100 points. The scoring consisted of how well they were synchronized, the general effect, and marching in step.

The drumline also won the outstanding drumline award, scoring 89 out of 100 points. Remi White, 12, drumline section leader, described how they were successful.

 “As for our individual sections, we meet up a lot. I know the bass drums were in the band room every morning early,” White said.

The marching band practiced every day for their first hour class. They also had 7:30 a.m. sectionals for the woodwinds, brass, low brass, and drumline in late August to early September. The color guard started their sectionals in the summer, continuing into the school year. Later, the whole band switched to having full band sectionals in late September on the field on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time. They also had many people observe their marching band during rehearsals.

“I think something that has been good is that we had a few more clinicians this year than we normally have. Overall, from the beginning this drumline has been probably the best one I have been a part of,” White said.

The drum majors scored 93 out of 100 points and won the outstanding drum major award for the first time since 2016. Steven Rachford,12, was the head drum major for the show. He explained how he felt after winning the award.

“[I felt] amazing, since we haven’t won that in six years,” Rachford said.

The drum majors were rated on the energy they had, motions, cues, marching, and the salute they did before the performance.

The marching band’s next competition is at Baker University on Oct. 12, a week from their previous competition. 

“We won Emporia and now we are going to go to Baker and it’s going to be way harder because Baker’s always harder.” Haney said. “We are going to have to keep pushing this week if we want to come out on top.”