Marching Band, Color Guard Team Up

By Carlie Wilson

Marching band has had a successful year so far and has more to come. With the accompaniment of color guard, all the members strive to do better at every competition.

Marching band participates in more than students at RHS recognize. Members played in the pit for the school musical “Les Miserables” in November. They perform at football and basketball games throughout the year. There have also been many competitions and concerts and there will be more throughout the year.

Tryouts for winter guard and marching band took place in December and with it brought many talented students.

Kevin Fallon, marching band instructor said, “There are a lot of young students to grow.”

Fallon is excited to have the freshman start band and see how much they grow within the four years. He has quite the impact on his students, who revealed that they see him as a father rather than a teacher.

Senior Jesse Clayton said, “Fallon is like our second father whether he likes it or not.”

There is also a huge amount of time that is committed to marching band. They practice outside of school for nine hours a week, and also have their class inside of school.

Color guard performs with marching band most of the time but they also have their own competitions and concerts. On Jan. 16 they had an evaluation show and they hope to go to California in March and compete.

There is a lot of hard work that goes into the color guard team. They practice three nights a week and also some Saturdays. They have to learn new skills of how to use the flags and weapons. They perform in any weather and sometimes even get injuries.

Junior Jessica Dixon said, “I broke my leg while tossing the flag.”

Marching band and color guard work well together. They are all friends and help each other out.

“We all have different personalities but come together. It’s a fun four years,” said junior Ann Marie Dunn.

Fallon said, “They don’t compete with each other. Color Guard should feel proud and drumline was strong.”