The Student News Site of Mililani High School

Trojan Times

The Student News Site of Mililani High School

Trojan Times

The Student News Site of Mililani High School

Trojan Times

The Cost of Paradise
Dannika Pila and Arie YamasakiFebruary 7, 2024
Left to right: Trumpets Rylan Akau-Morgan, Peyton Kahiapo and Skylar Hamasu stand in first position during the City of Lights Parade on Dec. 2.
Great Minds Think Alike: Collaborations Between Mililani Schools
Gianna Brown and Arie YamasakiFebruary 7, 2024
Senior Marcus Morifuji faces off against senior Ava Mayfield in a game of chess. The Tabletop Gaming Club
hosted its first chess tournament on Nov. 30, any student was welcome to participate.
Checkmate! Tabletop Gaming Club Hosts Chess Tournament
Marcus Morifuji, Sports Editor • February 6, 2024

‘Pandora’s Box’ unleashed at Bands of America

By Katlin Schendel
[email protected]
(Sierra Gamayon | Trojan Times) The Indianapolis Convention Center became home to the MHS marching band as they practiced for BOA and observed the other bands’ show.
(Sierra Gamayon | Trojan Times) The Indianapolis Convention Center became home to the MHS marching band as they practiced for BOA and observed the other bands’ show.

The MHS Marching Band closed off their season this year as the first band to represent Hawaii in the Bands of America (BOA). The event was held between Nov. 11 to 14 at the Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium and began the start of the trip that would take the band to Disney World in Orlando and Millennium Park in Chicago. At the competition, the marching band performed their number “Pandora’s Box,” earning a score of 77.30 out of 100 and a rating of I (superior).

This experience has strengthened my friendships with some of my friends as well as with my section and it has allowed me to become closer with many others,” stated Junior Kira Goya, a french horn section leader. “It’s been so much fun spending time with my section since they do act as another family, and then spending quality time with them makes me love and appreciate them more and more each day.”

With their friends at their side, the MHS marching band worked hard to improve their piece both technically and musically. “My routine compared from (the normal routine) was a bit more hectic because we were trying our best to get our show good for BOA,” said Junior Jessica Watarai, part of the color guard.

Participating in a national competition has allowed MHS to watch mainland bands play and perform. “This experience has opened my eyes to a whole new world of marching band and has really made me appreciate the program we have. Up on the mainland, marching band is bigger than sports and to see how dedicated the students, staff, directors and parents are is really amazing. It makes you realize that you are apart of something really special and it makes you appreciate being able to perform a show that is unlike any other back in Hawaii,” stated Goya.

MHS had the opportunity to interact with other high school and college marching bands throughout their trip. “We actually did an exchange with a local band, Greenwood High School,” MHS Band Director Derek Kaapana said. “We watched their show, (and then) we did a performance for them in the cold, which we weren’t used to.” While the band prepared for competition they also were able to observe their competitors. “We got to see and experience how other bands operate, (with) direct interaction and also some indirect interaction,” Kaapana said.

As the first band in Hawaii to compete in the BOA competition, there was a lot of stress placed upon MHS to do well, but that didn’t stop the musicians from seeing how amazing this chance was. “Knowing that Mililani was the first marching band from Hawaii to participate at BOA was unbelievable,” said Goya. “We are now a part of history, and the response from everyone else was incredible. People on the mainland were so excited for us to come up and they have been so supportive of us and our program.”

All the while back home, MHS was showing their support by playing the band’s performance live on the cafeteria TV. “When I saw the photo of the cafeteria,” Kaapana stated, “It was actually a very emotional thing for a lot of us, not only for myself, because it reminds us even though we’re 4000 miles away we still have a connection back home and people supporting us.”

The BOA experience has allowed every musician that performed to improve in their own way. “I feel like this trip (made) me stronger as a musician,” stated Sophomore Erin Koge, a member of the first ensemble. “It showed me the caliber of the bands up in the mainland, and how we can progress to become a better band for MHS and represent the state of Hawaii.”

The end of the competition brought forth a flood of emotions, as the band realized it was over. “I (remember) my captain crying and thanking us for being the best we could be for five months,” said Watarai. Goya added, “After I played the last few notes, I felt a rush of emotions knowing that this is the end of another season. I felt a big weight lift off of my chest knowing that that was the moment we worked so hard for.”

At the end of their season, all members of the MHS marching band are proud to say they have been a part of this year’s BOA competition. As the marching band says goodbye to their seniors they await the start of the new season, and with it, a hope to return to the BOA competition in the future.

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