On Saturday, Oct.11, the Thundering Herd Brahma Band performed at the Bandtober Fest competition in Giddings. The band performed around the middle of the day and had the privilege of making finals. The band played one more time that evening, playing even better than their earlier performance.
“The goal going into that contest was getting top 5. Knowing where we were slotted, we needed to see what we could clean up in order to get top 3,” Head director, Mr. Dreitner said.
After all of the judges made up their minds and the tallies were counted up, the thundering herd made third overall out of thirteen bands!
“We went into it hoping to make finals, and when they told us we did advance to finals, we went and performed again and did ten times better. We would have been really impressed with ourselves if we got fifth, but in the end, we ended up getting third,” Drum major, Kendall Mayer said.
One freshman this year, Rhea Kirkman, had big expectations for herself competing at Giddings, and it is easy to say that she and the band met all of them.
“Some of my expectations were to be on point. I knew I had to be on point, and I knew the people around me had to be on point. After I found out that we got third, I was excited for the band and myself as well. I was thinking, Oh my gosh, that’s such a big achievement,” Kirkman said.
A week later, on Saturday, Oct. 18, the Thundering Herd had their region performance. The herd received a first division and learned that they are advancing to the area level.
“I was expecting us to do good, but when I found out that we got all ones, I thought that was really impressive,” Kirkman said.
Kirkman’s section leader, Sophomore Myah Mahon, also had big expectations for her and her section alike. Being a section leader, Mahon has a big responsibility in the band; not only does she have to play well, but she is also responsible for 3 other people in her section.
This is as a section leader I was preparing my section by helping them grow in confidence and playing. I know that last year the clarinets were not the best and I really put that towards us not being confident in our playing. So this year to help them for the competitions I showed that they need to play out. They have grown so much compared to last year and I’m proud.
Junior Raelynn Wenske, the percussion section leader, also has some pretty big responsibilities. Wenske works hard not only as a section leader but also as a varsity cheerleader.
“As a section leader, I prepared my section by bringing them in for sectionals, paying attention in rehearsals and finding what we need to work on, and being open to help everyone out in the ways they needed it. As a full band, I think we didn’t have our best run, but I do think it’s come a long way since the beginning,” Wenske said.
After all of the hard work that the Thundering Herd put into their show this year, the band will perform at the area competition tomorrow, Saturday, Nov.1, so wish them a good luck and support your brahmas!
