The Viper band is coming to the end of their marching band competition season. After a long season filled with countless rehearsals, the band heads to their last competition at the Band Of America competition on Nov. 1 in San Antonio.

Over the past few weeks, the marching band has received a number of awards and titles. The band was awarded the grand champion of the 6A division and first place in the following categories at the Vista Ridge Marching Band competition: best music, best visual performance, best general effect, best auxiliary and best percussion. The band also advanced to finals and placed third overall at the Texas Marching Classic.

In the most recent competition, the band received their sixth consecutive UIL Marching first division trophy. Receiving division one ratings from all of three judges on the panel.

The band is under the direction of Mike Howard. There are approximately 250 students enrolled in the band program and each member plays a crucial role in the production of a marching show.

The band received their music at the end of last school year and began learning the first part of the music. In August, all the members came together for band camp.

“Band camp was both mentally and physically demanding, requiring that we stay focused on both rehearsing their music and learning our positions on the field in the sweltering heat,” senior and drill instructor Max Bernhardt said.

The band practices as a whole every day after school for three hours four times a week and participates at all home and away football games.

“The hardest part of band for me is being a role model for the entire band and constantly keeping a positive attitude despite the challenges that come with band,” senior and head drum major Olivia Schmitz said.

The band has seen all of their hard work pay off throughout this competition seasons.

“My favorite band competition experience so far has been BOA Austin, because of the event afterwards where we could meet the members of the other marching bands around Texas,” sophomore Barron Pulitzer said.

The band will be competing at BOA San Antonio with several other big marching bands around the state.

“I’m  most excited about being able to perform in San Antonio very soon,” Pulitzer said.
BOA San Antonio marks the last competition where the band will perform their marching show, “The Joy of Life,” before going into their winter/spring concert band season.