With the return of a new school year and the beginning of a new class of Redwood students, so do the arts. Students in band ranging from freshman to seniors participate in a summer camp called “Band Camp” a challenging yet exciting time of the year for Band for Freshman to get to know their upperclassmen and for new leaders to begin filling in the shoes of those who came before them.
Raul Arredondo ‘23 who plays the Bass Clarinet explains some of the first things that happen at Band Camp “We first introduce the Freshman to the basics, marching in time, meeting people…but they learn how to march like a Ranger”
Arredondo says “We put in so much time to make sure that Freshman and everyone else learns . . . at the end we have some fun like throwing water balloons and having a rock paper tournament”.
This year’s band head drum major America Vazquez-Lara ‘23 says “We do ice breakers everyday so that everyone can get to know each other . . . since we are all going to be spending a lot of time together¨.
¨There is also this freshman senior buddy system. Freshman pick senior buddies and basically they can go to their senior buddies if they are in need of anything like help or advice or maybe even just to hang out with them”.
While Band Camp is an exciting moment for all students it does take place during summer time some students recall it to be a major challenge. Assistant drum major Pricila Cenobio ‘23 says “spending countless hours under the sun, sweating, (being) sore, and learning drill with music, band camp is about getting a head start and advantage for the marching season”.
“We learn music, drill, body stretches, breathing exercises, music techniques and everything that will make us better marchers and musicians.” Cenobio says.
“I’m really looking forward to the first football game because it’s the first time playing our show for an audience”” says drum line member Emma Buckley ’25.
Trombone player Joseph Abbot ‘26 who is Abbot sibling to march for the Redwood band, says “This season for band is going to be very good;the audience should expect a good show¨.
Abbot also shouts out section leader Jaden Bullock, as well as senior leaders Leo Marquez and Owen Koford who are ¨amazing and very cool”.
Vazquez-Lara says she never considered being a head drum major, it was thanks to the encouragement of her friends that motivated her.
“I didn’t have much of a leadership role my junior year. I can proudly say I’m so glad my friends motivated me to go into this position despite not going to a drum major camp”.
¨We definitely came out of band camp super strong…still need work but overall the winds are especially starting to sound strong”. Vazquez-Lara says.
Cenobio ‘23 says “I think this season is going to be fabulous. We have a really amazing group of students who have enormous potential to be great. I’m glad to say we have a huge change of beating our competition”.
“We’ve grown so much from our last show(of last season). It is going to be a really great season and were so excited to show off to our school!” Buckley says.
While bands looks into their packed season especially October full of showcases, competitions, and in and out of Visalia, this year the Redwood Ranger Band also hopes to leave their mark on Redwoods Bands legacy.
Arredondo says “We are looking to create a feeling of when you first enter an Aquarium. I want to leave my mark and so does the band. Everyone has there part in this band. And I am happy to be part of this band. Go Rangers!”
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