By Harlan Rose

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Even after graduation, many alumni can be found returning to MHS to assist with programs they were involved in during their time as students. Three such alumni have continued to return to the Trojan Marching Band to assist with this year’s show, “Uprising.” After dedicating many years of hard work to the program, these alumni wanted to help the band succeed in their performances.

“Marching band was such an influential part of my life that it actually inspired me to become a band director. Coming back is a way for me to help others have a great high school experience like mine, as well as helping me gain knowledge of how to run a marching band whenever I get the chance,” said alumnus Michael Hartsock, who graduated in 2013 and assisted with last year’s performance as well.

The alumni primarily focused on helping the marchers learn the routines during practices. “I (helped) the students on the field when they are learning how to play or march. If there was anything that someone was doing or looking wrong I would go up to them and and fix them,” said alumnus Bradley Yoshida, who also graduated in 2013 and assisted with last year’s season. Alumnus Jeffrey Caballes, who graduated last year, said, “(I took) rookie marchers on the side, (oversaw) the brass winds and (provided) extra eyes and ears on the field.”

While they primarily focused on assisting the band as a whole, the alumni would occasionally help marchers on an individual basis. “I try to help individuals when asked upon. I am always willing to give lessons or extra help to those that I can, but for the most part I work with the band as a whole,” Hartsock said. “I tend to focus on the brass marchers since that is what I’m more proficient with, being a brass player myself.” Caballes added, “(The) majority of the time I worked with specific wind sections. During preseason I spent much of my time with students who had just started playing brass and those who were switching to other brass instruments.”

As the season progressed, the alumni saw marked improvement from the band. “As always the band made major improvements. From the rookies to the seniors. They always strive to improve themselves and become better with every practice. We provide the information, they take it and make themselves better,” Caballes explained. Yoshida added, “Every year from start to finish I have seen the band improve musically and visually. They work very hard every practice or performance they go to.”

In the end, the alumni felt that the marching band had a successful season and were proud that they placed first in the sweepstakes categories in both of this year’s competitions. “I am very pleased with how it went. Seeing the progress that they made as a group from when they started in June compared to the end result was really amazing,” expressed Hartsock. Yoshida added, “There were many bumps in the road during the season, but the students never stopped believing that they could do it. They finished strong and did awesome.”

Should the opportunity present itself, each alumnus would return to continue assisting next year, as the band will be competing in the Bands of America Tournament of Bands, which will be held in Indiana. “I do plan on coming back for next year,” Hartsock said. “The marching band is actually going to be traveling to a national marching competition in the mainland, so I feel that the help from the staff will be very beneficial for their next season.”

While Hartsock is the only alumnus choosing to major in the music field, they each intend to share their love for music in the future. Aside from the marching band, alumni have returned to assist with this year’s VEX Robotics and Color Guard seasons, alongside several sports teams.