The Ganado Pride of the Tribe band placed 10th in State on Tuesday, November 4, after working to perfect their show since July.
It was the sixth year in a row the band has marched at the State competition.
Band Director Mandy Keen said the students have worked hard to perfect a particularly difficult program.
“Our show in general was challenging,” she said. “This year, it was hard. We had a lot of different mixed meter time signatures, which makes marching a challenge.”
The show also offered woodwind and low brass features that were also challenging, but the Pride of the Tribe faced them head on.
“As always, the kids rose to the challenge and we made it work.”
Keen said she knew “right away” that this year’s band was going to go far. She had the show written and tailor made to the strengths of the kids, and the unusually large size of the 99member band.
“We’re able to play a wide range of dynamics,” she said. “Because there are so many of us, which is unusual for a 2A school. We’re able to play really big and strong in addition to being able to play soft.”
Now, the band can rest a little, and focus on supporting the Ganado Indian Football Team as they enter the playoffs, before going into Christmas and Concert season in the Spring.
