Redwood Band went to the State Festival on Friday, March 14, 2025, performing at Fresno State.
By: Milo Rachal
Band has had a couple festivals in the past few weeks, but the one we will focus on is the State Festival at Fresno State. Advanced Band and Wind Ensemble performed.
Advanced Band performed “Bonsai Tree” by Julie Giroux, Arrows by Samuel R. Hazo, “Gallop” by Gary P. Gilroy and “Peacemaker” by Karl L. King, and arranged by James Swearingen.
Wind Ensemble performed “Gavorkna Fanfare” by Jack Stamp, “Arabesque” by Samuel R. Hazo, “Our Castaways” by Julie Giroux, “Folk Dances” by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Photo N.Miller/Gigantea
Anyone who performs knows how nerve-wracking it can be, especially when you have an important role to play.
Scarlett Boyle, ‘27, said, “It was really fun, I even had a solo in Arabesque which was cool but scary for sure.”
Anne Wu, ‘26, can relate to this, saying, “I’m in percussion and have a very exposed timpani part at the beginning of one of our pieces, so there’s a lot of pressure to make sure that I play it correctly.”
But year after year it is about the same, so band students fall into a sort of routine when festival season starts. The warming up process, performing, and going to clinics. However, for freshmen, this is their first time doing anything like this.
Beckham Blair, ‘28, said, “It was good. It was the first time I’ve ever done anything like that, but we did pretty good in my opinion, so I feel pretty good about it!”
However for some, it was their last band festival. Three years of the same routine, preparing for the same thing, then before they even realize it, it’s over.
Hunter Wallace, ‘25, says, “Well, performing for the last time is making me remember all the years before this, and it’s bittersweet to say the least. But I’m still enjoying it!”
Milo Rachal
Hi guys! I'm Milo, pretty chill don't worry, just trying to have some fun and get good stories out there!
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Tags: arts and entertainment, band festival, rangers, Redwood, redwood band, redwood band state festival, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, rhs band, rhs band state festival, visalia ca
