Marching band waits to walk on the field at the Air Force Academy. In competitions, each band is allocated a precise amount of time to get on the field, perform, and get off the field. Plus, there are the before-the-show nerves. “Before 90% of our competitions, I wasn’t nervous, like at all. It just felt normal,” junior flute section leader Giselle Marians said. “Until regionals – I was so nervous. It’s nerve-wracking, putting your uniform on, because then you’re like, ‘What if I put it on wrong, and my shoulder pad is squished or I put my left shoe on my right foot?'”

Junior Vivian Mikleton, member of the color guard, performs behind the percussion section.

Part of the brass section performs with the color guard during marching band’s state competition.

Sections line up during one part of the performance. This year’s performance, titled “Rain,” contained precipitation-themed songs such as “Umbrella” by Rihanna. The color guard wore yellow rain jackets for the first part of the routine.

Junior saxophonist Avi Grope performs his solo during the first part of the band’s performance. In addition to being a soloist, Grope was also a saxophone section leader this year, and balancing the two could often be challenging. “At the start of the year, I was terrified,” Grope said. “Trying to wrangle a bunch of saxophones into a section that at least resembled competency was a total nightmare at the start, but as we started to get comfortable with each other it grew into a real family.”

Brass instruments play during a section of Creek’s performance, “Rain.”

The trombone section performs its solo during the middle of Creek’s performance. “It was very exciting because you have to stand on the very front sideline and you’re the only one in the whole band playing,” junior trombonist Rachel Novak (right) said. “But there’s also lots of community because there are four of us.”

Junior Veronica Morarie dances behind the percussion section. While some drummers march with the rest of the band, other percussion instruments can’t be moved, and instead form the “pit” at the front center of the performance. In order to get the pit on and off the field in time, parent volunteers step up in an intricate process that somehow takes only a few minutes.

Junior trombonist Rachel Novak plays a baritone during Creek’s routine. Due to the size and clunkiness of trombones, it’s difficult to carry them around while marching. Instead, trombonists play the baritone. however, to make the solo more special, they played on trombone.

Sections of brass instruments march in tandem. Sections have one or multiple section leaders, experienced players of the instrument who are responsible for coaching newer band members and directing the section. For first-time leaders, this role is daunting. “At the start of the year, I was terrified,” junior saxophone section leader Avi Grope said. “I was worried that I wouldn’t handle the pressure well, and that failure would loom around every corner.” Still, over the course of the season, many sections become close. “The constant sense of camaraderie got rid of any nerves I would have felt otherwise,” Grope said.

Senior Charlotte Kropf, drum major, looks to lead drum major Kayli Kilzer to ensure they’re both on the same beat. It’s the drum majors’ job to conduct the entire band and the color guard. “Being drum major is like nothing I’ve ever done before,” Kilzer said. “You have a perfect balance between hard work, fun memories, and the most amazing friends. The payoff of our show is incredible and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world.”

Junior Guard Captain Tori Lashbrook tosses a rifle after her solo. This is Lashbrook’s first year as guard captain. “It’s such a new experience,” Lasbrook said. “I get to [coach] freshmen now. It’s like you’re a mom and a friend at the same time. It’s just like a big family.”

The end of the performance features the entire color guard, in addition to the flute and clarinet players, waving silks meant to look like rain. “It was really exciting to have the opportunity to do something that we’ve never gotten to do before,” Marians, a flute player, said. “So that was one of the most exciting things I’ve gotten to do.”

Junior saxophonist Avi Grope smiles at the end of Creek’s state finals performance. With an all-time high score of 83, Creek placed third at state finals at the Air Force Academy Oct. 30. “When state was over and everyone walked off the field smiling I didn’t have a doubt that we had all crushed it,” Grope said.

Junior percussionist Nathan Krause sets up before the performance along with other percussionists and a group of band parents.

Senior member of the guard Annisa Tunnell checks her flag in preparation for marching band’s regional state qualifiers performance. Creek placed first in the competition, higher than they ever had before.

Floutists prepare for the performance. In Creek’s routine “Rain,” after walking on the field, each section stands together to wait for the cue to begin.

Junior color guard member Miyu Takeuchi performs with an umbrella during the first part of Creek’s performance. The routine, titled “Rain,” features rain-themed songs. Additionally, the color guard’s costumes included umbrellas and rain jackets during various pieces of the performance.

Percussionists watch Kayli Kilzer, the head drum major, to stay on beat.

Senior Annisa Tunnell spins a flag during Creek’s winning regionals performance.

Floutists and saxophonists play during Creek’s regional state qualifier performance.

Junior Tori Lashbrook spins a flag during Creek’s regional state qualifier. One of the most tenured members of marching band, Lashbrook has been on color guard since 2018, when she was in seventh grade. She is now the junior color guard captain. “It’s just like a big family that all works hard,” Lashbrook said of the color guard, who accompanies the band with elaborate dance routines.

Junior Tori Lashbrook twirls a flag beside another member of color guard. This year’s guard routine involved flags, umbrellas, and rifles. A select few were chosen to be a part of “rifle line,” where members throw facsimile rifles and have solos. “To be on rifle line is a big responsibility and pressure for me personally,” junior guard member Yuki Ueta said. “Although it’s hard, I love being on rifle because it’s a wonderful feeling to work on something challenging and I feel proud to be on a line that requires a lot of advanced techniques.”

Junior member of the color guard Yuki Ueta twirls a flag as part of her routine. Color guard involves a lot of tosses, spins, and twirls, which can sometimes be messed up by unforeseen conditions. “Every show I pray for no wind… I have the ‘it’ll be how it’ll be’ mentality,” Ueta said. “At windy shows I try to continuously check the wind direction and adjust definitely before there’s a toss.”