BY LAURA HARPER
News Editor
The Baldwin Highlander Marching Band has had an eventful season, including successful competitions and adventurous new music selections.
Among the big performances this season was the championship competition. Baldwin earned an overall score of 86.85, landing first place in its group and fourth overall.
Band Director Gregory Steele said he thought the band members carried themselves really well and established a good foundation for years to come.
“No score defines the success of a season,” Steele said. “It’s all about the progress we made together.”
Drum Major Malia Mueller also agrees with the overall success of the championship competition.
“We tried our best and had a good attitude,” Mueller said.
This season, the competition set was adjusted to add music from the popular English rock band Radiohead. It included hit songs “Bodysnatchers,” “Creep,” and “Paranoid Android.”
In addition to a successful championship competition, the marching band also had a memorable performance at a Steeler game on Nov. 15.
“Performing at the football game was a lot of fun,” Mueller said. “We had a chance to show off who we are.”
It continued a tradition as well. Baldwin had been the first school to ever perform at Heinz Field, and was also the first school to perform at Three Rivers Stadium many years ago.
With many long hours of practice throughout the summer and after school preparing for game days and competitions, the marching band proves to be a challenge that many students willingly embrace.
“Band is another home for me,” junior Josh Dillinger said.
Dillinger plays tenor sax and has been a part of school bands since fourth grade. He said band provides a family-like atmosphere for him, which he really enjoys.
He also said there have been substantial changes in morale from last year to this year.
“Everyone got with their section and really bonded this year,” Dillinger said. “The leaders and upperclassmen were also a lot more easy-going.”
Steele also noticed the increased morale among marching band students during this season.
“There was more attention during rehearsals, and students took more ownership and made a lot of progress,” Steele said. “I’m very proud of the way the students performed.”
