March to the Top

Maddy Fitzgerald, Staff Writer
December 17, 2011
Filed under News

Maverick Brigade takes 4th place in Vista Competition

Consisting of over 70 members, the Maverick Brigade can be seen on the field at halftime of every home football game, as well as at select away games and marching band competitions all over the country.

For the successful, award-winning band that they are, many students claim to have never even heard of the Maverick Brigade.

“I think people appreciate us but nobody really understands how much we practice,” junior Lalia Al-Shamma said. Their full rehearsal schedule earns them more and more recognition each day.

“This year, we won a Unanimous Superior for concert band. We marched in [the 2011 New Years Day] parade in London, and the Queen was there,” Al-Shamma said.  Both the Marching Band and Color Guard participated.

A “Unanimous Superior” is the highest award that bands can receive at tournaments. It is the title that they strive for at each tournament they attended.

“Also, we recently had 3 tournaments with 7 to 8 schools and placed 4 out of 20 in the very final,” Al-Shamma said.

The Maverick Brigade spends an average of 6 hours a week rehearsing, although it can get up to 10 hours or more when they have practices for competitions or games.

“We spend so much time together in rehearsal and at tournaments that everyone gets to be really close,” junior Kamalia Freyling said.

“We’re like a family,” junior Brianna Johnson said. “We encourage each other. Some people also work together for duets, which always end up really pretty.”

The band members interviewed agree that the Brigade is not largely recognized by the school. Principal Kyle Ruggles agrees.

“I think a few people, though not nearly enough, are finally starting to understand that we do in fact have a top-notch band here on our campus,” Dr. Ruggles said. “I am extremely proud of how all of their hard work and practice pays off. There is definitely another side to LCC besides sports.”

The bulk of activities and rehearsals for marching band take place during the first semester, with students meeting for band camp in August and ending the competition season in late November.

Students in marching band can receive PE credit for their time, which is especially important if one is looking to free up a spot in his or her schedule to take other classes required for graduation.

According to Band Director Carissa Mattison, in order to earn two years of PE credit, band members must show up to rehearsals after school, attend all home football games, and participate in four competitions during first semester.

In addition, students need to do four years of marching band to get two years of PE credit. Students who choose this path would have to fulfill the Health requirement on their own time.

Anyone who is looking to catch a glimpse of the Maverick Brigade’s performances can visit their YouTube channel under “TheMaverickBrigade” or “like” their page on Facebook.