Crusader Band ends school year with crescendo
The Crusader Band was among the chosen few to march in Disneyland.
May 7, 2018
The sound of music begins to fade from the band room as the scent of summer break encompasses the once lively room.
Though competition season has officially ended, the band has gone on to perform in various parades and competitions outside of fall band reviews.
On Feb. 18, the Crusader Marching Band performed at San Francisco’s famous Chinese New Year Parade. The sound of firecrackers and cheering crowds were not the only thing that filled the air that night.
Sounds of the band filled the air as they performed. “Walking through Union Square playing ‘Pick up the Pieces,” said Logan McLaughlin ’19, “[it was] exhilarating. You had Tommy playing the solo and everyone’s side stepping. It really gets you in the mood.”
The final parade of the 2017- 2018 season was the long-awaited Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. While often the least attended of the band’s three parades, this year, the Marching Band was greeted with cheering crowds.
“It felt nostalgic in a way. Even though I’ve been doing this for a year, it felt good to walk down San Francisco and play for other people,” commented Capsinol Granucci ’19. “It feels good to play for people. It’s entertainment.”
The Riordan Marching Band has traveled everywhere, from Rome to Canada, and this year was no different. As part of their annual tour, the band decided to stay close to home and revisit Disneyland after first performing there during the spring of 2014. The marching band paraded down Main Street USA performing, making the “happiest place on earth” just a little bit happier.
“You always see videos of bands marching in Disneyland. I think when I was [last] there, there was a band marching down Main Street and it was just fun to finally be a part of it.”
Around this time marks the end of a four-year journey for the class of 2018. As they play their last notes, sight read their last piece, and hang up their instrument for the last time, a sense of pride and accomplishment fills the class.
“First time walking in to the band room I thought it was pretty cool. First thing you see is all these trophies. I was like, ‘Wow, this is a pretty cool band. They’re winning trophies.’ I didn’t even know they had trophies in band in the first place. I thought this would be a fun and cool experience. And hopefully I could win some trophies,” Miranda said. Since joining the band, Ricardo Miranda ’18 had not only dedicated himself to performing concert, but also taking on the role as a member of the Riordan Color Guard and the prestigious Jazz Band. He has accumulated more than 20 trophies during his time four years in band.
“I wasn’t in marching band coming in. My first day of band class we were asked if anyone had played an instrument before. I told him I had played piano for 10 years and Mr. Souza told me to audition for marching band,” Aguirre said.
“First day of marching band I didn’t really expect anything was going to happen. I didn’t have any expectations for band, because I thought it was just another class. Over the years, I have quickly learned to love band class because of what it provides and what you can do in band.”
Stephen Aguirre ’18 has been drum major for the 2017-2018 school year. He has help the band gain many victories and has even won first place drum major at Fairfield Winter Guard Review.
“My favorite piece is a piece were playing right now called Legend of Bafe. I’m playing first trumpet. I’m taking all the pressure as being the first player in wind ensemble. Taking on the task of being first chair was actually really surprising for me. I’m grateful this experience was brought upon me because with this I’ll be able to show my talents in wind ensemble.”
Brandon Flores ’18 started his band career in the Instrumental Music Ensemble. After four years of hard work and rigorous practice, he was able to earn a spot as first chair in Wind Ensemble.
Though the band is losing many of its members, it looks to the freshmen as the future of the marching band program.
“I think the band program is really good compared to other schools. I really like music. I used to play guitar and piano. It’s a lot harder than piano. I want to try and get into Jazz Band,” said Edmund Tiao ’21.
As the seniors hang up their uniforms, the remaining band begins preparing for a new start.
“[For next] year, [we need to] keep the spirit of the band going, because I know the past two classes had strong classes, and I want to keep that tradition going, and have a strong, departing year,” said McLaughlin. It’s gonna be difficult, but I feel like we keep the band successful and go different places with it.”