As the Area B marching contest approaches on Saturday, Oct. 29, Chisholm Trail Ranger Regiment band members are eager to put their hard work to the test deciding their advancement to state. 

“I think confidence is the best mindset to have going into area,” freshman trombone player Jacob Thompson said. “But I also think too much confidence could be a bad thing. It’s good to have it, but we have to follow through with that confidence when we perform.” 

Competition often lasts more than 12 hours with 10 to 35 bands performing. Throughout the day, there are plenty of things to have mapped out to help keep the band on schedule. 

“When we all go to a competition, there are so many factors going into it,” assistant band director Emily Rivers said. “We have to make a schedule to get to warm up and our performance on time; we have to bring extra parts of the uniforms and tools for instruments. I’ve gotten into the habit of making checklists the night before to remember all the things I need to. It helps me stay organized and focused which makes the students more organized and focused.” 

When competing with some of the best bands in Texas and the nation, Rivers said it is a challenge to “not get squashed” by some of the more financed schools around in the area. 

“Disappointment is natural, but being the top leader in the band, a lot of younger students look up to you to see what kind of reaction to have,” senior drum major Rylan Ivy said. “To still be happy after a run that didn’t get the results we wanted really shows how good of a band we are despite what the judges say.”