Marching band finally getting in step.

Byline: Tiphini Tomchak 20Below News Team

ONE OF THE activities I do to help suck my free time dry is marching band.

I've been part of the color guard for the Willamette High School Marching Wolverines for three years now. The color guard uses dance and flag routines plus costuming to visually interpret the music that the band plays.

Generally, a marching band's performance has a theme, such as spies and secret agents, the fall of Rome or the music of George Gershwin. This year's theme has been a typical work day; we're marching to "Menuano" by Pat Methany.

It's a good song, but the first time I heard it, I thought it sounded like the music at Enchanted Forest.

We have a competitive marching band. We're lucky because we go to competitions and perform for people who appreciate our hard work. And boy howdy, it's a lot of hard work.

There are several elements to a good show, and when they all come together, the result is awesome. It takes time, commitment, dedication and a little suffering; I have friends in color guard who have rehearsed and competed while being sick.

Marching band was frustrating for many years, though, because despite all of our blood, sweat and tears, we were never very good. We always had several excellent musicians, marchers and dancers, but the band as a whole was lacking.

Not this year.

From the beginning at band camp, we've had spark and energy. The elements required for a good show have come together. And the best part is that our efforts are being rewarded.

Last month, Willamette took first place in its division and swept every "caption" competition - best music, best marching, best general effects, best percussion for the drum line and pit and best auxiliary for color guard - at a competition in Salem.

Marching band is like any competitive activity. Of course, having fun is the most important thing, but it's not fun to play poorly. It's fun to win. It's not fun to be grateful at a competition because you didn't come in last.

I'm not saying winning is the best part or the most important part. But it's a feeling I could get used to.

Activities are always more fun if you're good at them, and trophies are a very nice way to find out how good you are. And it's nice to know our band cheer finally rings true:

Don't mess, don't mess, don't mess with the best

cuz the best don't mess with you.

Don't fool, don't fool, don't fool with the cool

cuz the cool don't fool with you.

Don't bite my apple, don't shake my tree,

I'm in marching band, don't mess with me!

From the east to the west, Willamette is the best!

Tiphini Tomchak is a junior at Willamette High. She can be reached by e-mail at [e-mail].