The Mac Band took a step toward their 2021-2022 competition season last Friday on the McCallum blacktop, premiering their UIL show at Bandapalooza for parents, students and alumni. Their marching show this year, Mirage, features moving mirror back props to create illusions for viewers, as well as three movements of music and soloists. 

The Bandapalooza rehearsal and performance allowed community members to get a behind-the-show look into this year’s marching season: a pivotal and state competition year for the Mac Band.

BAND GROUPIES ON THE GREEN: Family, parents and community members gather on the grass surrounding the blacktop to watch the Mac Band rehearse and perform Mirage. Class of ‘21 alumni Abby Jones attended Bandapalooza as an audience member and an assisting marching tech this season. Throughout her four years at Mac, Jones played french horn, mellophone, and was in the color guard program. “I miss getting to perform and doing what I love with my friends,” she said. Jones has been teaching the marching band since the beginning of summer. “I’ve got to see them grow as a group.” Reporting and photo by Sophie Leung-Lieu.

A KNIGHT THAT GUARDS: Senior Grace Van Gorder spins her flag as she participates in Bandapalooza. Van Gorder, now in her fourth year of color guard, is looking forward to her last season, especially after how electric Bandapalooza was. “Bandapalooza was the first time in over a year that I’ve performed in front of a crowd that large”, Van Gorder says. “Everyone is just happy to be back and all the new people are super enthusiastic to put in work. I’m so ready for games and competitions and bigger performances to show off our skills.” Reporting and Photo by Francie Wilhelm. Caption by Josie Bradsby.

BRASS ON THE BLACKTOP: The Mac brass section, including junior Cal Soisson, senior Tristan Wicall and sophomore Benji Owens (first three in line), rehearses a set of Mirage, the band’s UIL competition show this year. For brass captain junior Lila Markey, Bandapalooza meant both a showcase and reason for excitement. “It was thrilling,” Markey said. “Having an audience makes me ecstatic to be back in the swing of things and to be rehearsing in a full band setting.” Looking forward, Markey is most excited for the moment the entire show comes together — the UIL state competition. “Performing our show for the last time in front of thousands of people, and the feeling of having out hard work pay off,” Markey said, “that feeling is genuinely indescribable.” Reporting by Madelynn Niles. Photo by Francie Wilhelm.

LOOKING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS: Sophomore Benji Owens (left) plays his trombone alongside other Mac band members at Bandapalooza. With this being his fifth year playing the trombone and first year in marching band, Owens is looking forward to the upcoming season. “I’m excited,” he said. “I’ve never done this before and I’ve heard a lot of fun things.” The early season nerves are still present, especially with Taco Shack around the corner but Benji said Bandapalooza made him feel even more ready to perform in front of a crowd. “I played and marched better when the stakes were [at Bandapalooza] high.” Reporting by Francie Wilhelm. Photo by Eliza Jensen.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON: Junior Cal Soisson stands tall as he plays his trombone at the first performance of the season, Bandapalooza. Soisson thought that the concert was “pretty low stakes” due to the majority of the audience being parents and students. “But it was a fun start to the season,” he said. Soisson is relieved that this marching season will be different than the last. “It is definitely better than last year, even with masks,” said Soisson. “I’m excited to see the rest of the season play out- especially with things like the taco shack bowl.” Photo by Francie Wilhelm. Caption by Lucy Marco.

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD: Senior Natalie Nagy (right) and senior Grace Van Gorder (left) lead the color guard in a J-toss at the end of the first set of the show. When the flags were first revealed to the audience, a cheer of support sounded from the crowd. “As performers, we are often feeding off of the audience’s energy,” Nagy said. “That was something we missed with our virtual season last year. Seeing everyone’s friends and family come out was amazing.” Reporting by Alice Scott. Photo by Sophie Leung-Lieu.

MARCHING ADRENALINE: Senior Tristan Wicall (middle) has been playing trombone for the past six years and has enjoyed his time in the McCallum band. The rush of adrenaline from marching, especially during Bandapalooza, has always made the experience more enjoyable for him. “You’re having to think about what music you’re playing, what your body’s doing, whether or not you’re on time, and much more,” he said. “There’s a moment when everything clicks together, and that’s where the adrenaline kicks in, and it’s really cool.” He mentioned that it’s often a challenging experience transferring from the parking lot to the field, especially for the first time. “We have these red, yellow, and orange dots spray painted on the parking lot that helps us know where to march,” he said. “Obviously a field doesn’t have any dots to go off of, so it can get pretty difficult to find your spot most of the time.” Photo and caption by Eliza Jensen.

PRESSURE POINT: In position with trombone in hand, sophomore Charlie McBride prepares for the low brass’s featured section in Mirage. “We’re right in front of the audience for that part,” McBride said. “So if we make a mistake, it will be super obvious. But at the same time, it’s also the most fun part written for trombone, so I love playing it.” In McBride’s eyes, part of what makes Mirage so special is who’s behind the music of the show. “The music is all original music the McCallum band directors helped put together, which is pretty cool,” said McBride. Reporting by Alysa Spiro. Photo by Sophie Kessler.

SENIOR SALUTE: In the marching band’s first performance back from a virtual year, senior Kaden Davis leads a diagonal line in one of the marching band’s sets. The change from online to in-person was real for Davis, as he describes his emotions leading up to the show: “My nerves definitely kicked in at first,” he said. “But once I got to my set position and the show began, my confidence went through the roof and I felt so proud.” Despite it being different from previous year’s Bandapaloozas, Davis felt it was a great way to start the season. He shares, “Not having a marching season last year really took a toll on all of us, especially the class of ‘21. So I know that all the class of ‘22 seniors are extremely grateful to even have a show this year.” Reporting by Lydia Reedy. Photo by Eliza Jensen.

MADE THE BUCKET LIST: Backlit by the twilight sky, band director Zack Travis observes the Bandapalooza performance from the spot he occupies at every morning rehearsal. At Bandapalooza, Travis sported a bucket hat, the trademark of the flute section. Photo by Sophie Leung-Lieu.