The Mean Green Marching Machine advanced to the area round after winning first place in 3A and Best Brass Award in the Concho Classic Marching Festival at San Angelo Stadium on October 15. The band competed in the Area marching competition on Saturday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. 

Band has held hours of group practice since mid-July to prepare for these “playoff” marching competitions. 

“Every other band has met the requirement of earning a 1st Division,” director Dustin Moses said. “In order for us to set ourselves above those groups, we have to perform at a higher level than they do.  That goes back to the level of rehearsal that we have had since day one.”

Beginning this year, eighth graders were allowed to try out for varsity band in order to amplify the band’s size and sound on the football field. 

“What’s cool about being on varsity is getting a head start rather than waiting until high school,” eighth-grade member Brody Mulnar said. “Seeing all the other bands on Saturday and learning how they march is cool to take notes on.” 

Senior drum major Tristan Moon said adding eighth grade students was challenging at first.

“We have had to train twice as many people,” Moon said. “But it is beneficial to have a good amount of people on the field. They make our sound much stronger.”

According to Moses, every member must perform every note, step, and movement the same as in practice for the show to truly come together. 

“The judges are looking for a musical performance where every performer plays with great tone quality, matching articulations, tuning and musicianship,” Moses said. “Everyone’s feet, legs, torsos, shoulders and heads are expected to be identical as they move. This is something that the band is doing very well this year.”

Last year, the band qualified for state, a marching competition that takes place every other year.

“The experience at area this year was still worth it,” Ginger Porter said. “The whole group had fun and I think we learned a lot despite not being able to go to state.”

On Saturday, October 22, the Mean Green Marching Machine placed fifth in the area round.