By Eli Gregory
Marketing Editor On Saturday, November 14, the 2015 Marching Lions scored a 92.75 during the Cavalcade of Bands Championships in Hershey, earning the highest overall score in Red Lion history. Throughout the season, The Lions continuously increased their scores from competition to competition. Their final competition at New Oxford yielded their highest score of the competition season, a 91.6, just barely lower than the Lions previous all time high score of 92.5. The scores the Lions received this season placed them in the upper tier of competitors for championships; open. This means the Marching Lions and seven other of the highest scoring bands in their division will compete for the last and possibly most important score of the season. After an energy filled and focused practice saturday, band members chowed down on pizza and relaxed before the big show. The air was filled with bittersweet excitement, as the band realized their last performance of the year was that night. But for some, this would be the last performance of their lives. As the band headed towards Hershey stadium, other bands exchanged good lucks and smiles. Cold air stung cheeks and joints froze, but the show must go on. Cheers erupted from the stadium as the Red Lion Marching Lions were announced, and streaks of black and gold flashed. The performance was exactly what the Lions needed; a solid performance to show the other competitors that they deserved to be in open with the other top bands. Band directors Mr. Crone and Mr. Kriebel expressed their pride and satisfaction with the show afterwards, smiles bloomed and tears were shed. “Walking off the field for the last time was rewarding knowing I poured my heart out into the show I loved to perform,” senior color guard member Tiffany Beckette said. “I will miss band, but I thank Mr. Crone for giving me the best four years I could have.” When the seniors joined the field for scores alongside drum majors Kevin Scheetz and Kira Brandt, the realization that this was the end began to hit home. The Lions ended up placing sixth with a total score of 92.75, the highest score in Red Lion history. The seniors were overjoyed to realize they were able to make history in their final year, a great way to leave the organization. Although it’s not a very high placing, its considered a higher placing compared to their first place finish last year. Back at the school, four year marchers gave their final speeches to the tightly-knit bunch. “Leaders don’t make followers, leaders make leaders, and I’m impressed with the leadership already being shown in the underclassman,” senior and four year marcher Anah Zieber said. “I look forward to taking what I learned in this activity and applying it to my future.”
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By Adrianna Clinton Co-Editor in Chief With football games soon approaching, the Marching Lions have not only been hard at work preparing to play under the Friday night lights, but also for their own competitive season. As most kids began back-to-school shopping in the second week of August, the marching band traveled to the Hartman Center in Milroy, PA for their 49th annual band camp. The instrumentalists and color guard spent approximately nine hours each day learning the first two movements to their 2014 field show “Immortal: From Dusk to Dawn.” Despite a day washed out due to heavy rain, the band was able to make up for lost time and is on their way to have a great first performance at the Aug. 29 football game pre-game festivities. With practices Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays and games on Fridays, the Marching Lions have an even busier week when their competitive season begins. This year, the band will be competing in two circuits, Cavalcade of Bands and Tournament of Bands in order to perform at closer shows. On Saturdays, the band will rehearse, travel, and perform at various schools within the circuits. The show tells the story of what it means to be immortal, which in band director’s Curtis Crone’s, “is something that never dies...immortal can be whatever you imagine it to be.” The opening movement will surely catch everyone’s eyes with its intricate drill and the awakening of these immortal beings, portrayed by the color guard. The second movement, a familiar song to most, features the band moving in unison and harmony, with the third movement mimicking a sunrise, forcing the immortal entities to disappear. Audiences can look for small section features from the trumpets, flugelhorns and baritones, as well as colorful costuming of the color guard. Immortal promises to be a memorable show for marching band enthusiasts and even a crowd pleaser for those watching the big game.
The field show of the Marching Lions this year is called “Tribal Affect,” which is unique because it is out of the box when compared to past shows by the Lions.
The fair is a great opportunity for marching bands to perform in front of crowds not in attendance to see a football game, but rather to admire the music ability of high school students. Junior Drum Major Anna Lorenzen said, “Band day is fun to show everyone our musical quality, instead of our marching.” Bands perform their shows by standing in an arc along the track, while the color guards perform on the stage This year, band day begins at 2 P.M. September 8, and as senior bass guitar player Abi Dodge says, “It is a festival of awesome.” |
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