Bethany Darwin, Staff Writer
October 19, 2011
Filed under Features, Top Stories
They are beaten down, forced to cooperate—oppressed. They cannot stand the tyrannical government bearing down on them. Out of options, they do the only thing they can do—revolt.
No, this is not Libya or anywhere in the Middle East. Instead, it is the basis for the Jaguar Marching Band’s show, “Uprising”.
“Our show is very unique in that there has never been one like this before,” guard captain and rebel leader Meagan Growe said. “The show has overall gotten a very good response from the community and from the students and teachers at Summit.”
Growe gets captured after the first major battle. Her capture is short-lived, when in the very next movement she is rescued, and plans for the final major battle. In the climactic battle, Growe defeats drum major and dictator Ryan Nuss. This brings the “war” to peace, even though Nuss is not killed.
The tyrannical government has been overthrown, and the rebels have been liberated.
Band director Brad Bonebrake compared the show to the American Revolution.
“The show has a very revolutionary feel to it,” Bonebrake said. “It has a lot of conflict from the oppressed underclass that is trying to overthrow the tyrannical government that is currently in power. The band might be compared to the military force, and the guard might be compared to the rebels who are initiating the revolt.”
The band earned their tenth straight division one rating at the Region V UIL Marching Band Contest Tuesday night, qualifying them for the Area B Contest on Oct. 29. This year is a state year for the band, meaning they have a chance to compete at the State Marching Contest in San Antonio. Senior Trombone player Andrew Peal believes they can get there.
“This year we are definitely bigger in size,” Peal said. “ We have the potential, with a lot of practice, to be better than in years past.”
The band’s last opportunity to make the state contest was 2008. That year, they finished 22nd at the area contest. For Peal, it was a heartbreaking experience that he would not like to be repeated, but he believes this show can take them far.
“This truly can be an incredible year,” Peal said. “Even if the drill is more complex than it has been in years past.”
One of the challenges for the band was integrating freshmen into the fold. Freshman Jessica Martinez said she has found out that marching band is a challenge.
“Marching band is much more time consuming, it requires more work, and it takes more physical activity than concert band,” Martinez said. “I am constantly afraid that I am going to trip over my own two feet and fall, or go the wrong way in a set and mess everything up.”
Even through the problems, Martinez still enjoys it.
“It truly is fun, and I would never want to quit,” Martinez said.
The idea for “Uprising” came back in November of last year but wasn’t completed until May. With the unique show and the way the band is approaching the contests, Bonebrake believes they can reach their goal of getting to state.
“Our band this is year is very business-like,” Bonebrake said. “They get in there and do their best to get the job done. We are more than prepared to tackle any challenge and come up on top victorious.”
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October 20th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
As (paternal) grandmother of Elizabeth and Jessica Martinez, I am bursting with pride in their contribution to the Jaguar Band. My beautiful, talented grand daughters have invested much effort as band members and when – not if – they perform in my hometown, San Antonio, there will be a major cheering section that will rock the stadium. Congratulations to the Jaguar Band, the Directors, and all family members. GO! JAGUAR BAND! Love you, Lita
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October 20th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Best of luck to them on their quest for state!! Are there any videos available of their recent performances?
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