By Misha Lawrence

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With Trojan Bandfest in November, the competitive season for the Trojan Marching Band has drawn to a close and nostalgia, along with unforgettable moments, fills the hearts of its students. Many members were moved by the tremendous amounts of effort and time they put into the band this year.

“This season was definitely a great one, but it was also a very hard one. It was very challenging not only for me but also for the rest of the band,” Drum Major Senior  Daniel Nakayama said.

The band experienced countless memorable moments throughout the past season. “We have two camps where we spend the entire day with each other for a week and it was just a lot of bonding time. It was just a lot of time to spend with your friends and the people you enjoy being around,” said Nakayama. “A memory that I will always remember from this past season was when my section and I were having a difficult time playing part of our music. We tried continuously to work on it but it would never really come out. But after countless reps, we were finally able to play it consistently and very well. I just remember my section and I jumping up and down screaming in joy once we played it,” said Drumline Base player Sophomore Tori Yamauchi.

Alongside moments of bonding came accomplishments within their competitions. With effort, of course, there was success. “Winning sweepstakes at both of our competitions and even at our home competition, the bandfest. We don’t win anything because we host it, but we do get scores and we won first overall,” said Nakayama. “We received the Class AAA first place Sweepstakes award at the Kamehameha Tournament of Bands and the Kapolei Marching Band Festival.  We also scored the highest out of all marching bands at all three of our competitions,” said Xylophone player Sophomore Justin Kimata.  “It’s definitely a very rewarding moment when you put in so much time and energy into marching band and just the feeling of accomplishment is like no other,” said Clarinet Section Leader Senior Aimee Gaza.

Becoming drum major was an emotionally demanding role for Nakayama but led to emotional growth. “To be the drum major I had to gain a lot of confidence. Before that, I wasn’t a very confident person, but being the drum major helped me to be more confident and be a little bit more strong, taking charge and leading the band. If I had to take away one thing that I learned, it had to be confidence,” said Nakayama.

The season also brought forth changes in the character of other band members. “I noticed that throughout the season my peers had a new set of mind and a new focus. We all eventually realized how important this season was and that we all needed to push harder and keep trying,” Yamauchi said. Kimata added, “Marching band has allowed me to meet a lot of great people that I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to know.  I used to be really quiet and not have a lot of people to talk to, but I have made so many friends and it has allowed me to break out of my shell a little bit.”

As the members changed over time, they also grew together as a family. “I have also seen everyone come out of their shells and come closer together to create more of a family atmosphere. Some people that would not say more than two syllables at a time will be talking non-stop on the bus ride to a game,” Saxophone Section Leader Senior Taylor Kon-Hanada said.

This season, being their last, was especially emotionally significant and meaningful for the seniors. “It being my senior year, I wanted to make it the best year. So I’ve definitely put a lot more time and effort into the marching band. I always do but this time it was on a more personal level just because it’s my senior year, it’s my last one and I want to make it the best,” said Nakayama. “I took away a sense of accomplishment that I was able to do my part in something bigger, to leave my legacy with those that will come after me, and that I have taught the next generation of marchers to hopefully be greater than I was,” said Kon-Hanada.

As the band with the  “Eyes of fire and heart of gold,” the 2014-2015 Trojan Marching Band has once again completed a successful season.