The final funky shuffle. The final “Band! Ten, hut!” The final performance. The final cutoff.
These “finals” may not seem like much to the average person, but they evoked many emotions in the hearts of the Marching Warrior Band seniors on Friday, Nov. 7 — the last football game of the season.
“I was on the sidelines with the cheer team while I watched the clock run out,” said senior cheerleader and flute player Lindsay Garber. “When it hit zero I looked over at the seniors in the band and just watched them all cry into each other’s arms.”
Members of the marching band pour their blood, sweat, and tears into every show and every performance. They do it not because they’re told, but because they have a genuine passion for what they do and the community they build with their peers.
Senior trumpet player Lea Beishline said that marching band “gave [her] an excuse to play from [her] heart.” Beishline went on to say the following: “There were definitely some ups and downs, but it was all worth it because we shared a love for music.”
The last game can be especially emotional for marching band seniors, especially those who have been at it ever since 8th grade. They’ve just spent five years growing a passion for music, building friendships, learning the rewards tied to hard work, all to have their last game’s buzzer ring in the end of an era.
“I didn’t really process anything at first but when I saw everyone crying, I started crying too,” said senior clarinet player Evelyn Weng when asked how she felt as the final buzzer sounded.
“I have never wanted time to freeze so badly in my whole life,” said senior drum major Ali Ravert. “I didn’t want to get off the podium. I knew these kinds of moments happened to seniors, but I never processed that one day it would actually be happening to me and my friends.”
Because of their years of experience, marching band seniors are left with countless memories — good and bad — to look back upon and cherish.
“I really enjoyed this year’s Battle of the Bridge,” said senior percussionist Reese Peterson. “It had such a fun dynamic with everybody involved, and such high energy — I am happy we had such a good time that night.”
Not only are they left with priceless memories, but by their senior year these young adults have numerous shows and performances under their belts.
When asked about their favorite show from the past five years, there was a tie between the band’s movie-music show and their Elton John show.
Garber explained her reasoning for favoring the movie-music show, saying “It was such an electric show, with a fun freestyle part, a sword fight,” and “top tier” dance block choreography.
Although the Marching Warrior Band sure knows how to have fun, not every moment of every season was sunshine and rainbows. These seniors experienced their fair share of ups and downs throughout the years, but they learned from them.
“I learned that people are going to put you down, but you just need to remember why you love what you love,” said Beishline. “I now refuse to let someone tell me what I am capable of, and if I am passionate about something, I will try my hardest to do it right and from the heart.”
Because of her role as a “BOP” and a flute section leader this past season, senior Savanna Farley spoke on leadership, saying, “One big thing I learned is that you have to be so incredibly patient in order to be a good leader!”
With the end of such a long, impactful era often comes a yearning to go back in time and do it all again — to have more time. Peterson said that if he could tell his 8th-grade self one thing, it would be to not “take it for granted.”
Peterson continued, “Things will change more than anyone could say in words in the next few years, but make sure you appreciate everything and everyone that comes your way.”
A few seniors — Beishline and Weng — shared their intentions to continue their marching band careers in college, especially if they were offered a position in Penn State’s Blue Band.
This is only one of many bittersweet goodbyes that these seniors will have to make this year, but it’s safe to say that they will continue to support each other just as they did throughout their many years together in marching band.
“I feel like it hasn’t completely kicked in yet. Part of me still believes that there will be more bus rides, Rock Lobsters, and Warrior Rumbles. But deep down I know that it’s over, and although it’s very sad, I feel nothing but gratitude for being able to experience Friday Night Lights with my best friends for five years,” said Garber.
Featured Photo (at top) : The Marching Warrior Band seniors line up for a photo at the end of the football game. In order of appearance (left to right): Evelyn Weng, Ali Ravert, Reese Peterson (in the background), Savanna Farley, Lea Beishline, Lillian McCulloch, and Grace Barkauskas. (Not pictured: Lindsay Garber and Raigan Fredericks). Photo by Susan Ravert
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