After traveling 14 hours to Indianapolis, Ind., the marching band performed their show “A Picture’s Worth” for the last time.
“Watching people’s faces light up as they’re walking off the field at the Lucas Oil Stadium was really special,” senior and Drum Major Pascal Omotayo said. “All of their work throughout the entire season was showing on their face at that moment.”
The Argyle Marching Band competed at the UIL State Marching Band competition on Nov. 5 and placed seventh. The following week, the band traveled to Indiana to compete in the Bands of America Grand Nationals.
“Last year we didn’t make it to State and it was really devastating,” junior and Drum Major Ann Obrzut said. “But this year, we made it and we advanced quickly. I think that just shows how the band worked so hard.”
Rehearsals for the 2024 season started in July and continued until the band went to Grand Nationals in mid-November.
“Not to be cheesy, but hard work gets you places,” Obrzut said. “We work to be able to win things because it’s hard.”
Junior Ann Obrzut and seniors Rayne Haelsy, Pascal Omotayo, and Addison Crawford served as drum majors during the 2024 season.
“Being a drum major, there are a lot of responsibilities,” Haelsy said. “A big responsibility for me is always having to be there, always having to give it my best effort. I overcome it by knowing friends are with me going through the same thing. Knowing it’s all worth it in the end. Knowing you’re gonna remember this for the rest of your life.”
This year’s theme – “A Picture’s Worth” – celebrates the memories students make during their time in the band.
“I think the theme helped us advance,” Leigh said. “The theme of nostalgia, love and family helped touch people’s hearts.”
The show included a variety of music from “Photograph” by Cody Fry, “Dance: I” by Oliver Davis, “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand and “Picture Studies: Pigeons in Flight” by Adam Schoenberg.
“This year the playing ability has been really good,” Haelsy said. “I think that has had a big contribution to our placement at State.”
This year’s graduates will be the only class to be both 4A State Champions and 5A State Finalists.
“It’s pretty remarkable that we found success in 5A as well as 4A,” Omotayo said. “I think that’s what’s really special about our band.”
At Grand Nationals, the band advanced to semifinals and placed fourth in their class.
“There’s nothing that brings people together more than working really hard and having a lot of passion for a common goal,” Omotayo said. “Doing that not only allows this year to be really strong but furthering that passion is why I feel like the band is going to do really great in the future too.”
