After two long, hot, and grueling weeks at band camp and many hours of after-school rehearsals, the Prairie Ridge Wolfpack Marching Band proved how hard work really does pay great dividends. This year the band competed in several competitions against high-quality, title-holding bands, and the Wolfpack showed other schools how much PR’s band has crescendoed over the last few years.
The field show this season was titled “America’s Heartland: The Music of Aaron Copland,” a classical compilation with an old-fashioned country theme. It featured powerful drill movements, tasteful flag visuals, and intricate percussion music. “I was so proud when the field judge complimented the tone of the flute section. That was really special,” said junior Olivia Jensen.
PR band students stayed incredibly busy this year, with either a home game or a competition every weekend. They traveled to Wheeling, Mount Prospect, and Marengo for the scored competitions, and to McHenry for a marching festival. Junior Hannah Ellis stated, “My favorite competition is Marengo because I love to watch the other bands and eat marching tacos!”
While band camp is a busy time of learning new music and drill moves, it is a valuable experience for freshmen because it allows them to become acquainted with the school before the first day. Jacob Szymanski, a freshman, said that one thing he appreciates about band is “meeting upperclassmen friends who I can say hi to in the hallway. It always makes my day!”
The season went by quickly, especially for the seniors. Korey Yuen voiced all of their nostalgia when he said, “I liked my senior year in band. It turned out well. It’s been a great four years, and this season was particularly enjoyable. I was very pleased with the show. It was a great way to end.” These seniors have no regrets about their involvement with the Wolfpack Band.
Band Blast marked the final time that the group got to present “America’s Heartland.” All of the efforts throughout the season make it even more difficult to let it go, but the Prairie Ridge band students can surely be proud of their excellent performances during the last few months.
