Hough High School Bands: Marching Their Way to Victory

The best things often hide in plain sight, with one of these being the Hough High School Marching Huskies. Often overlooked, the marching band here at Hough has a much bigger presence than people think. It is well known that the marching band plays music in the stands at football games to excite the crowd and support the team, and then performs a show during halftime. What most people don’t realize is that as a performative sport, bands participate in competitions, where they are judged against bands in their class. Recently, the Marching Huskies attended the Carolina Classic Marching Band Competition, hosted by East Lincoln High School. Improving drastically from their first competition, the band received numerous awards, including 1st place color guard, 1st place visual, 2nd place drum major, and 2nd place in musical effect, winning 2nd place overall in their class.

With the tremendous growth since the start of the marching season, members will continue working hard to do even better at the next competition, aiming for the title of Grand Champion. 

To understand the results of the last competition, the anticipation for the next one, and the overall excitement of participating in marching band, I spoke to Katlin Kresal, a senior here at Hough who has been a member of the band for 4 years. She also participates in jazz band, wind ensemble, and other musical groups. 

Me: What stood out to you about our last most recent competition?

Katlin: What stood out to me at the last competition was not only the fact that our band was more confident in how we played and how we marched, but it was the collective team spirit I could sense in everyone. I feel that we had an amazing show compared to previous competitions and that we showed what we could really do, and it made me very proud of the band and the individuals a part of it as a whole.

Me: I agree with that. I think we really worked well together and stood out. Now to reach our goal for the next competition, how do you plan to improve for the next competition?

Katlin: I plan to work on being able to play louder with a consistently good tone and emphasize articulations even more to help me personally improve. I plan to help my section grow and improve by working on our vertical alignment and encouraging people to play more confidently when we have the melody.

Me: That sounds like it would really improve the ensemble as a whole if everyone continued to work hard. Lastly, what would you say to someone thinking of joining a marching band, and how has being part of the ensemble helped you over these 4 years?

Katlin: Being a part of the ensemble has helped me become who I am. It has helped me open up to trying new things (such as playing four instruments), and it has helped me meet some of the kindest people. For anyone considering joining marching band, or even band, I'd like to say that for some, band is their life. They sometimes use it to escape from reality and will go into their own world, they dedicate themselves to it and treat it like it's a life source. For others, it's a hobby, something to just help pass the time and help give them a new skill. 

Me: Thank you for your time! 

Although the marching season is nearing its end, with the next few weeks being especially important, other performing arts programs here at Hough are working just as hard. With fall beginning and Christmas slowly approaching, the symphonic band and wind ensemble are dusting off traditional Christmas songs, as well as learning new ones to perform, and we hope you will join the band at their concert on December 8th for festivity and cheer. 

On that note, next time you attend a Hough football game, I encourage you to cheer a little extra for the incredible Hough High School Marching Band.