Among the vast artistic talent at MRHS, the marching band and color guard stand out as excellent performers and as a family. Ending an impressive fall season run with a second-place placement at Towson University for state competition on November fourth, the Marching Band finished strong with a quality performance. Practicing weekly hours in preparation for each performance, band members reflect on their time with friends and look forward to what’s next in the coming years.
While a significant portion of the marching band season is oriented around performances for the school at football games, high-level competition with other marching bands is what many of the crew members look forward to the most. Following a strong regional win, high hopes of a state victory were abundant. It is never easy to take a second place outcome at such a high-level competition, but the crew displayed a strong sense of sportsmanship and an appreciation for the positive aspects of performance.
“We placed second place overall in the state…we all did pretty well and agree that [states were] our best performance overall and run-through of the show. Everyone was really able to focus on our music, and we put everything together simultaneously to make a really good music sense…we reached the judges in a way that none of the other groups were able to,” sophomore Yash Rekula explained.
The group strongly echoed this sentiment, with senior Nathan Zeng explaining that being a part of the marching band is not just an afterschool hobby but a big personal investment and a way to immerse oneself in a welcoming community of strong musicianship. Combined with the color guard offering a visual flair to accompany the music, band members have much to be proud of.
Color guard captain junior Serena Venginickel plays a pivotal role in the school’s marching band, bringing the artistic essence to life with her vibrant flags that mirror the band’s ongoing theme. As a member of the color guard, she synchronizes her movements with the marching band, becoming a living embodiment of the music being played. Venginickel is deeply passionate about her community and treasures her time with the color guard, even though it demands extra practice and commitment beyond the marching band. She impressively balances her dedication to the band with her schoolwork. Her leadership role allows her to step up and guide the color guard whenever the instructor is unavailable, making her an essential part of the team. Venginickel’s dedication to her role and commitment to her community make her a standout marching band member and color guard.
Junior Arun Vaidyanathan, the Drum Minor of the marching band, views the ensemble as a musical group and a close-knit community. As Drum Minor, Vaidyanathan conducts the marching band, working with Aidan Oh and directing their movements. Vaidyanathan diligently attends drum minor meetings and practices to prepare for their concerts and performances. The band recently clinched the top spot in their division at the Naval Academy competition, a significant achievement they’re all proud of. They’ve also paraded through Turf Valley and delighted kids in Halloween costumes with a performance in a cul-de-sac. The marching season proves to be a more demanding time for Vaidyanathan and his bandmates compared to the concert season, but he manages it all, often sacrificing sleep by staying up late or waking up early to fulfill both academic and band commitments. His role as Drum Minor adds an extra rehearsal to his schedule, enhancing his leadership skills within the band. Vaidyanathan values the opportunity to interact with every band member, making him a prominent figure in the marching band’s tight-knit community.
“You spend so much time with your friends, and it is such a great atmosphere, and it is almost like a family,” Vaidyanathan said.
While an impressive testament to the talent of Marriotts Ridge students and the wonderful staff guiding them, the season comes to a close, and so must the meticulous practice, tight bonds, individual experiences, and beautiful music echoing into the cool Friday night air. Finishing strong, students will get to see the band back again next year, going for gold with a renewed passion and vigor like never before.