When it came to marching season, the Band played as loudly as a bunch of teenaged girls screaming at a One Direction concert. Feet stomped in the bleachers. The sound of drums thumped and horns blared. The Advanced Band, made up of 171 people, marched nervously onto the Northside field for the ASBOA Region VIII Marching Assessment.

These musicians fought off their nerves and earned all ones, which is the highest score possible.

“Earning all 1s means we are the best Band inside and out,” Dilfur Kongphouthakhoun, 8th, said. “We played like we are royal.”

Beyond the thrill of competition, students also enjoyed simply being a part of the Band.

“Band means a lot to me because I earned my spot, and not everybody gets an opportunity to be in Band,” Eric Picazo, 8th, said.

Jazz band auditions served as another perk of being in Advanced Band. Fifteen students from Kimmons tried out in November for a spot, but only seven made the cut.

“The hardest part about the Jazz Band tryouts was the nerves, plus this is my first year playing bass,” Cheyenne Leonard, 9th, said.