The ELHS marching band will participate in the MCBA state finals on Nov. 1, held at Ford Field. This year, East Lansing will be part of Flight II, starting their performance at 11 a.m. This is the marching band’s second year going to the state competition. However, according to Caroline Haider (10), this year the qualification standards were tougher, with only 10 bands out of 12 making it to the finals.
“Last year there were only 11 vans in our flight,” Haider said. “And since there’s only 11, they took everyone, so we were guaranteed a spot.”
The extra requirement for qualifying this year was just another stressor adding to the already momentous work the band does to be ready for their big day at Ford Field. David Larzelere, the director of the marching band, says that the preparation ranges from the visual design elements of props to rehearsals every day during school.
“I mean, the marching band season for me, starts really in January, when we start planning the show and hiring staff for marching band camp and designing all the things that go into making a marching band show,” said Larzelere.
The logistics of the day itself add complications, as well, from the perspectives of both Larzelere and the students. Band members like Haider will have to wake up early to make it out in time for their performance.
“[Unlike last] year, we don’t have to wake up at 3 a.m. because we perform later in the day,” Haider said. “But probably still early, like 6.”
Larzelere especially will face the challenges of coordinating the organization and transportation of the instruments, props, and 143 band members. Every factor that might come into play involving the band’s success must be considered with the difficulties of traveling.
“I have a whole packet of stuff that has all the details with what time we’re supposed to be there, what time we unload, what time we warm up, what time we go from space to space,” Larzelere said. “Everything is very well organized down to the minute.”
But all of these challenges and hard work come with a performing experience like no other. According to Haider, performing in a big competition with everyone watching provides an extremely different experience for the band members from just playing at the football games.
“[At the football games], most of [the audience] are there for the football. They’re kind of not really paying attention,” Haider said. “At the band competitions, everyone’s silent and watching you and judging you.”
Larzelere agrees that the different space creates a new opportunity for the bands, providing them with a fun chance to see bands from other schools as well as the motivation to finish their season strong.
“They realize that this is the last time they’re going to perform their show,” Larzelere said. “There’s a lot on the line for the students that have worked so hard.”
Whatever stress, excitement, or opportunities the day may bring, Larzelere sees the day as a final conclusion to a great season for the band members.
“This is the day that we’ve been training for, and really, we’re just going to go and celebrate the work that they’ve done and celebrate our season,” Larzelere said. “That’s what the performance is all about.”
