The marching band will compete in its first competition of the season on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the McKinney Marching Invitational at McKinney ISD Stadium. The band will perform its 2024 marching show “Legend.”  

“Each year the band takes on a slightly different personality as the personnel and strengths change,” Director of Bands Christopher Meredith said. “The show takes us through the journey, self-reflection, conflict and final destination with the use of majestic music that features every group of our band.”

The band has been tirelessly preparing since the summer with rehearsals nearly every day of the week usually from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. Showcased at the competition will be parts one, two, three and four.

“I expect our performance of the show to be the best it’s been so far,” senior drum captain Ben Lennard said. “We’ve added a lot of new choreography in the past couple of weeks, and it’ll be the first time we’re really putting it all together.”

With a medieval theme, the show tells a chronological story beginning with knights on a ‘Quest’ to protect their kingdom, leading to ‘Calm’ tales of royalty, building up to an epic ‘Battle’ for power, and ending with ‘Triumph.’

“My favorite part is the first part of the show,” senior head drum major Ella Fechter said. “I teared up when I heard it the first time, because it’s very epic and in your face. I love that about it.”

The initial competitions band attends helps them improve and prepare for the most anticipated performances including Area, which they have advanced to for 31 years.

“You have to get into the competition mindset by making sure you’re ready to do your best,” senior brass captain Isaac Flietas said. “It’s a very different mindset than a Friday night performance because on competition nights, everyone’s there to watch you specifically. You need to be performing on a level where you’re already winning before you even step on.”