Marching band experiments with choreographed shows on new football field
Marching band performs during half time.
August 1, 2013
With the construction on the football field, students and staff noticed the obvious effect it had on the football and track teams. The effect was not as apparent with one particular group; Tracy High’s marching band has spent the past year practicing on an empty street.
“We weren’t really able to get much practice,” Marching Band Instructor Jeffrey Kumagai said. “It took away from the whole experience of being in a marching band.”
Kumagai was challenged with beginning his first year teaching marching band without having a field available to practice on. With construction of Wayne Schneider Stadium now complete, Kumagai is excited to have a place to practice and perform field shows.
“I’m really excited, because I used to perform field shows and it really brings me back to my roots,” Kumagai said.
When Kumagai was in high school, he also performed in a marching band. He’s thrilled for his own band to have the opportunity to practice and perform field shows the same way he used to at their age.
“All of the students are really excited,” Kumagai said. “Especially this year’s sophomores since they haven’t yet been able to perform on their own field.”
Kumagai feels that having this field readily available has given all of the students a great opportunity to enhance their experience in the marching band. The marching band has had one practice on the new field and it has already had a positive effect on their performance.
“It will definitely be more fun having field shows,” Brad Johnson, baritone player, said.
Being a senior, Johnson has been able to perform in the previous field shows. He’s eager to be able to showcase the marching band’s skills again.
“It really gives us more of a set grid to perform on,” Johnson said.
The first field show the marching band will be performing will be a simplistic show to get the hang of things. When the Tracy hosts West at the end of September, the marching band has something completely different and more advanced in store for everyone.
