“Bland” Band Music Strikes Chord

Boom! Boom! Boom! The drums ring through the stadium. The Mighty Buffalo Band performed their show “Among the Stars” this year at the UIL Marching Contest and earned a ranking in first division superior. Through blistering heat, cold winds, along with difficult weather, the band has continued to perform their show dozens of times in preparation for UIL.

This is the 29th consecutive year that Clemens has earned a first division ranking.  The band boasts a proud reputation as an award winning marching band. With this year’s show now retired, some students are disappointed, especially after band favorites such as “A Night in the City” and “Among the Stars,” which was last year’s show.

“I feel like it’s well deserved, but I still feel like we could’ve gone above and beyond with our performance.  There’s always something missing,” said Javier Mendez (12), Front section leader for ensemble. “The soloist was probably one of the only good things we had going for us.”

Last year’s show was a hit with the crowd and was beloved by the band.  Clemens has a history of interesting and unique show music, and some felt that this year’s show did not hold up as well as shows in the past.  Themes in the past have included New York City, clocks, and outerspace, while this year’s theme was the ocean. Major points of criticism have been boring music and themes, haphazardly written drill movements, and an overall lack of exciting moments.  The movements of the show are also generally slower and mellower than last year’s performance, which may contribute to some band members’ thoughts. As for the drill, marching in this show has led to students being hit by props and flags from color guard.

“[Our best show was] ‘A Night in the City’ because of all the jazz elements in it and how successful it was,” Mitchell Mollicone (12), the section leader for the trumpet section, said.  “I think the music [this year] was definitely more bland.”

Despite this year’s show being lackluster to some people, the band is prepping for more music and performances.  In December, the band will perform its Christmas concert; in February, individual students and groups will perform in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest; in April, the band will perform in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest; and in May, they  will perform their spring concert. Already, the band directors are planning next year’s show, and students are hopeful that it will be stronger, better, and more exciting. Students are hoping for a more complex show, with bigger hits, stronger melodies, and better designed drill.

“It was solid, we did the best we could with what we had, and we really came together as best we could,” Kate Kampman said.  “[There will be] more difficult show material, I hope. And a better dedication.”
The Samuel Clemens concert bands will perform the Christmas concert on Thursday, December 6th.

~Crayton Buchanan- Staff Writer