The Ins and Outs of a Mustang Marching Band Member

There’s always a constant hum throughout the halls the week of a varsity home football game between the posters decorating the school and the constant reminder of what’s to come in the morning announcements. This event, bright stadium lights, decades old cheers, football, and our amazing student section have been a staple of Mesa for ages. If you’ve been to a football game, I’m sure you can agree the energy is ever flowing. One of the biggest supporters of the student section (aside from cheer, the mesa maniacs, ASB, and so so much more) is our school’s very own marching band. Most people will recognize our marching band from their pre-game show, half-time show, and other sports pep activities. However, more than just entertainment, our marching band is competitive. With many competitions through the year, our marching band has been bringing mesa energy on and off the football field. Aside from just marching, the band has many other instrumental groups that occur throughout the year such as jazz band 1 and 2, concert band, drumline, small ensembles, and more. So many students thrive in this program, and go their entire high school career apart from it. through this article we want to highlight student life, through the interview of a few band students.

the entire band in the stands during the 26 botb game

Richard UlLoua:

Richard, holding up two peace signs with a smile on his face during a recent home game where he led conducting the band

Hitching Post: Hi, I’m here with Richard Ulloua. What part are you in the marching band?

Richard: I’m the 2026 to 27 head drum major.

Hitching Post: How long have you been doing marching band?

Richard: This is my fifth year now.

Hitching Post: How long have you been here in Mesa?

Richard: For Mesa, since seventh grade, so it’s my sixth year between middle school and high school.

Hitching Post: If you had to play another instrument aside from your main instrument, what would you be? Including what you play now?

Richard: So I play saxophone, mainly bari sax, If I had to choose an instrument, I’d play the flute. I like the flute. Because you don’t really hear them in the band, which is the stereotype that’s given, and I would like to challenge that stereotype if I were to play the flute.

Hitching Post: What’s a song you enjoyed playing/performing?

Richard: I really like playing “the kids aren’t alright” in band. It’s very catchy, and there’s jamming to it, and I like the brass section, especially in that song.

Hitching Post: What do you think about the new director?

Richard: I think he’s great. He brings something to the school that we haven’t really had, which was like experience in marching. He also is a professional wind player in general, which will bring challenges to him trying to teach guard and percussion as well, but I think he is willing to do that as well.

Hitching Post: How long have you been playing the instrument you play now?

Richard: Since 4th grade, so that’s 8 years.

Hitching Post: Have you played any other instruments?

Richard: I play trumpet in 3rd grade, and I haven’t really touched any brass instruments in Zen, but I play mallet instruments for the 2nd semester of the band for our indoor percussion ensemble, and I play one semester piano, for jazz, too. That’s the only instrument I play other than sax.

Hitching Post: What do you think is the hardest thing you have to do in Marching?

Richard: I think the hardest thing is just endurance, especially in the 1st month of Marching Band, like combined with band camp. So, band camp, and then like 2 more weeks after that, because that’s when you’re shifting towards always having a performance every week practically, which is, you know, our football games.

Hitching Post: What grade are you in?

Richard: I’m a senior.

Hitching Post: What inspired you to join a marching band/ play your instrument?

Richard: For playing my instrument all the way back in 4th grade, it was just because the saxophone section at my elementary school, which is College Park, was small and there was always like nobody going. So I just wanted to try instruments that no one else was playing. Little elementary school mindset. And to join the actual marching band, it was just, just to go up a level because I didn’t really know what they did when I was in 7th grade, and I joined when I was an 8th grader. So, go up to the next band level, that’s what all I knew and then it taught me so much more after that.

Hitching Post: What’s a song you wish to perform?

Richard: Song from The Offspring, which “ you’re gonna go for our kid”, because the USC, when they play they get into it, and that’s nice.

Hitching Post: What’s something you enjoy in marching band that makes the class fun?

Richard: I enjoy our interconnectedness as an entire band, because I feel like you can really talk to anybody else just besides what the instrument they play, and I do like that we try our best as leaders to encourage that.

Hitching Post: What drives you to keep going despite challenges?

Richard: Just always trying to chase the end result, because ever since I joined, I think I just want to grow as much as I can as a person. So that’s what kept me from joining back for 5 straight years, just trying to see how far I can go as not only a musician but as a leader.

Hitching Post: Why have you made an effort to be a part of the Marching Band even after you’ve completed the requirements from it?

Richard: Just to show our current, like, underclassmen and eighth graders that the current leaders that we are right now, we were in your shoes before. So this is what you can build up to.

Hitching Post: How do you balance your school life and your marching band life?

Richard I just kind of accepted that for something that’s as big as the Marching Band, you’re gonna have to make a couple sacrifices along the way. And I’ve kind of accepted that because I just want to see how this band will continue to grow. So currently right now I’m kind of prioritizing Marching Band over other extracurriculars. But if I were to speak out or speak on about trying to, or trying to balance Marchman, like a sport and like a club, just try your best to give your max effort when you’re there.

Hitching Post: What would you change about marching band? It could be something you’d add to it, something you’d get rid of.

Richard: I don’t know if I could do this because it’s more of like an ASB thing, but just to have more representation of us within our school.

Hitching Post: What classes are you taking this year?

Richard: I’m only taking three actual classes right now, which is my first period band, which is not really a class I consider. And then my secondary is AP seminar, then 3rd period AP macroeconomics and 4th period AP literature.

Hitching Post: How has marching band influenced you as a person?

Richard: Just always digging to the same mindset I have, which is whatever you’re currently doing, just keep trying to grow as the best person you can be, because for me, it’s always the end result. So I just try to chase what possibly it could be in the end, I am trying to learn as much stuff along the way.

Hitching Post: How would you describe a marching band to someone looking to join?

Richard: It could be a lot at first, I understand, but we try to encourage our best to mainly about it being a community, because that’s who we are. We want you to have fun. We’re there, and you’ll probably mostly see us for the 1st time at a football game or a rally, and that is who we are at the end because we’re a pep/competitive band. So we have both sides of a band, which is school events and competitions.

Hitching Post: What’s one memory you look back to fondly from marching band? You can include two, if you really want.

Richard: Mainly just my freshman year of Marching Band, which was, even though all the leaders weren’t too together, it was mainly that they had the same end result, which was how far can we get, and if you ask about anybody about that 2023 PL season, they mostly say the same, which is we all want it to be the best we could, and that really showed with the results.

Hitching Post: What is one thing you want the school to know about marching band?

Richard: We’re slowly fading as a program, and I think some people can agree with, if you look at the logistics of it. Costa Mesa is also known as the city of the arts, so I would like to let everybody know that we’re trying our best to stay relevant, and we appreciate it if you give us a little bit more representation, because we’re trying our best.

Hitching Post: that’s all we have for you, thank you for your time today!

Aleah Wilson:

Aleah at the botb game 2026 where she helped conduct and lead the band with pep tunes

Aleah: Hello, everyone. I’m Aleah, and I am the co drum major for 26-27 school year.

Hitching Post: How long have you been doing marching band?

Aleah: For four years. So, my freshman year all the way to this year.

Hitching Post: How long have you been here in Mesa as a student

Aleah: Six years. I’ve been here since middle school.

Hitching Post: What instrument do you play?

Aleah: I play alto saxophone.

Hitching Post: Okay. If you had to play another instrument, what would it be?

Aleah: Trombone.

Hitching Post: What’s a song you enjoyed playing/performing? Like a favorite song?

Aleah: I really like Runaway Baby.

Hitching Post: What are your opinions about the new band director?

Aleah: I think he’s good. He’s just really shy, and I just want him to feel more comfortable, and I don’t want him to feel shy getting us in trouble.

Hitching Post: How long have you been playing the instrument you play now?

Aleah: Three years.

Hitching Post: Have you played any instruments before that?

Aleah: So, I think it was fourth or third grade. I played the flute, and then I quit, because it gave me headaches. And then in the seventh grade, I played the violin all the way to 10th grade however I quit my 11th year. Eighth grade, I played alto saxophone, but I didn’t really play because I struggled with it. Freshman year, I played synth in the drum line. In sophomore and junior year, I played bass drum for drumline. This year, I hope to play tenors and learn how to play tenors and be better.

Hitching Post: What do you think is the hardest thing to do in Marching Band you have to do?

Aleah: Probably marching and playing at the same time.

Hitching Post: What grade are you in?

Aleah: 12th grade.

Hitching Post: What inspired you to join a marching band/ player instrument?

Aleah: So I was too scared to join any other sports. I tried out for volleyball. I didn’t get in. I got tired of basketball, and I was too much of a chicken to go to soccer. So I just joined the band because Emily was in colorguard already.

Hitching Post: And what inspired you to play your instrument?

Aleah: I liked jazz. So, I thought “‘Oh, the saxophone would be cool to play’.”

Hitching Post: What’s a song you hoped to perform?

Aleah: Maybe another Bruno Mars song, like, Risk It All.

Hitching Post: What’s something you enjoy in marching band that makes the class fun.

Aleah: Hanging out with my friends and the late night competitions and the football drives.

Hitching Post: How would you describe the culture in marching band?

Aleah: I would say there’s a lot of diversity in our marching band. A lot of people do multiple instruments and do multiple sports, and I feel like you can just find someone you can relate to and stick with them.

Hitching Post: What drives you to keep going despite challenges?

Aleah: My friends. They’re there for me all the time, and we’re, like, on the same wavelength, so we think the same things, and I can relate to their problems and my problems.

Hitching Post: Why have you made an effort to be a part of a marching band even after completing your necessary requirements that the class gives you? Basically, why do you keep going?

Aleah: I keep going for the love of the game. And I just want to help improve my band overall. I just love seeing our band grow and complete higher challenges and hold us to a higher standard.

Hitching Post: Well, what would you change about marching band?

Aleah: I believe that some rules are given to people who do not deserve the roles. And I want to start enforcing some sort of, like, more looking at them. Like, if you’re gonna be in that role, act like yourself. And I want to, like, remove rules from others and give them to other people.

Hitching Post: How do you balance your school life into your marching band life?

Aleah: I basically do band like every day. I just practice on the weekends, work on the weekends, do school work during a free period, like, during my fourth period.

Hitching Post: Would you say that being in marching band and having all these other commitments is hard, or is it manageable?

Aleah: It’s hard. It is gonna be hard if you don’t find, like, a schedule that you can work with, and, like, actually write down things in your calendar, ’cause it’s very time consuming. I won’t lie. But it is also really fun, and that’s why you get close with the people you are with.

Hitching Post: What classes are you taking this year?

Aleah: For second period, I’m taking EP Lit, third period, stats. I don’t have a four, fifth period is intro into nursing, and then my sixth period is AP camp.

Hitching Post: How has marching band made you, consider the classes you take? According to how time consuming they are, would you say marching band has gotten in the way of your academics sometimes?

Aleah: I would say, yeah, but I think I just got used to it, so I’m more comfortable taking more APs than, like, freshman or, like, 10th grade year.

Hitching Post: How has marching band influenced you as a person?

Aleah: Marching band influenced me as a person in ways that I can’t think of. Just the people with the connections. They influenced me in having more confidence in myself and knowing that even if I’m alone in the world, I can still always find someone to go to. And just having people that can be there for you and relate to you and help you out is just really something that you need in your life

Hitching Post: How about some skills? Like, skills have been taught to you as a person, like leadership.

Aleah: For leadership, I would say that there are definitely people who will, like, get in your way and be a big rock in the road. But I think, growing from, like, an officer to a section leader, now a draw major, it’s definitely, like you learn the process of having to remove that rock in the road, and you, start learning step by step on how to do more things, and how to grow it in a way.

Hitching Post: What’s one memory you look back to fondly from what you think?

Aleah: Oh, there’s so many. I think a memory is probably gonna be my freshman year with void and drumline season. It was my first year, and I was just hanging out with Emily and Valentina, and every time I look back on the memories we had together, the laughters we’ve had, the head on the shoulder moments, It just really makes me look at my friends and all. And, wow, you guys grew up so much.

Hitching Post: How would you describe a marching band to someone looking to join?

Aleah: I would describe it as, it’s really fun, and I think if you really want to be committed, then I think they should definitely do it, ’cause it is, again, time consuming, and you’ll make a lot of friends and a lot of good memories. Yes, there’s gonna be, like, some ups and downs, like, getting 60 at a comp or something. But that small moment shouldn’t discourage you from not joining at all or making new friends.

Hitching Post: What’s one thing you want the school to know about marching band?

Aleah: We’re actually fun people, and we’re actually real people that people should take time to look at. And they should recognize us more, and be proud of our accomplishments, and be proud that we literally bring the hype to the football games, we bring the music. I want people to recognize us more and give us more credit.

Hitching Post: That’s it, thank you for sharing this with us.

Aleah and Richard at the 25-26 band banquet not too long after learning they would be drum majors together.

Escarlet Soto :

Hitching Post:What position do you hold in marching band?

Escarlet: I am the clarinet section leader, and I am Secretary of the band.

Hitching Post: How long have you been doing marching band?

Escarlet: I’ve been in marching band since 8th grade.

Hitching Post: How long have you been here in Mesa?

Escarlet: I’ve been in Mesa since seventh grade.

Hitching Post: If you had to play another instrument, what would it be?

Escarlet: I would probably play violin if I could join the orchestra. And, I really love the community, and I would think, I love playing music and instruments, and it just, like, really inspires my brain and puts me in a creative mode.

Hitching Post: What do you think about the new director?

Escarlet: I really liked a new director. I just think he is a bit kind of shy and he’s not really talkative with the rest of us, so if he were, I think it would be a lot better.

Hitching Post: How long have you been playing the instrument you play now?

Escarlet: I’ve been playing clarinet since I was in 3rd grade, and I’ve just stuck to it my whole life, basically.

Hitching Post: Have you played any other instrument?

Escarlet: I’ve played barry sax, and I have started learning how to play flute.

Hitching Post: What do you think is the hardest thing you have to do in marching?

Escarlet: I think the hardest thing about marching band is just remembering, like, all your spots for your competitions and just having the music memorized and engraved in your brain.

Hitching Post: What grade are you currently in?

Escarlet: I’m currently a sophomore.

Hitching Post: What inspired you to join marching band?

Escarlet: What inspired me to join the marching band is that I would see a lot of people in the band community just become like friends and those friends just stick with you. And my whole family has basically been to the school and done marching band. So it’s kind of like a tradition to join a band in my family, and I just think it looks really fun, and I make a lot of friends, and everyone’s super nice.

Hitching Post:: What inspired you to play your instrument?

Escarlet: My sisters and cousins play clarinet, so that inspired me to continue.

Hitching Post:: What’s a song you wish to perform this year? Like, if you could play any song for, like, concert season, jazz band, anything, what would you want it to be?

Escarlet: I would love to play any Laufey song or Beabadoobee song because they are my goats and I love them so much.

Hitching Post: What’s something you enjoy in marching band that makes the class fun?

Escarlet: I think something I enjoy in marching band is that they gave you an opportunity to do, like, icebreakers in the beginning, and you could talk to anyone, and everyone’s really friendly in there, so you can really go up to someone and just say hi, and then you guys become, like, best friends.

Hitching Post: What drives you to keep going despite challenges?

Escarlet: I think, what drives me to keep going is, it’s just I’m a person who would never give up, and honestly, I could never imagine my life to be without a band. Band is my family, and honestly, if I were to quit, that would kind of upset me, and I don’t want to upset others, and, like, I don’t want to feel left behind or left behind.

Hitching Post: Why have you made an effort to be a part of a marching band?

Escarlet: Honestly, I haven’t quit because I just want to help grow the community better, and I think we could have a lot of improvement there. I agree that some of us could have better actions and support. And I just like to help the youth.

Hitching Post: What would you change about marching band? It could be something you want to add to it, something you don’t like and you want to get rid of.

Escarlet: I guess I would kind of get rid of all the disrespectfulness from students who give to the staff and the teachers, or just other students in general. It’s not okay to bully others, and imagine if that was yourself or a family member, hurting your family member or yourself. It’s just not okay. And we need to be respectful to each other.

Hitching Post: How do you balance your school life in your marching family?

Escarlet: Honestly, football games or competitions, I just bring my homework, and I do it there, or whenever I come home from practice, I stay up all night to do my homework, or beforehand, I do it.

Hitching Post: What classes are you taking this year aside from marching bands?

Escarlet: I’m currently taking enhanced math 3, pre AP conflict 2, AP worlds, honors chemistry, engineering, and JV Dance.

Hitching Post: How has marching band influenced you as a person?

Escarlet: Honestly, the marching brand has changed me as a person. I used to procrastinate a lot of times, and I would never get my work done. I used to be a bad student. But ever since I joined the Marching band, I have learned to balance my schoolwork and outside school time. And I feel like that’s really helped me do a lot better in high school, getting straight A’s now. Um, I feel like it makes me put more effort into different activities. And I feel like, now I’ve become a better person, and I feel more confident now, having a strong voice for others who aren’t able to use their own.

Hitching Post: What’s one memory you look back to fondly from marching band?

Escarlet: One memory I look back to from marching band is my rookie year. That was my first year ever joining a band, and everyone welcomed me. Welcome to their community. And the competitions were really fun. I remember trying my first funnel cake. Like, I tried a whole bunch of new foods that I’ve never tried before, and I feel like that’s really stuck to me now. And I feel more confident to do different things.

Hitching Post: How would you describe a marching band to someone looking to join?

Escarlet: I would describe marching band as a friendly community, a place where you can talk about anything you want. It doesn’t matter who you are or how you act, everyone’s welcome. Except, of course, if you’re not a good person, but marching can change that, you can become a better person, and grow better. You can learn how to play new music. It doesn’t matter if you have no experience. We will help you grow your experience better. We’ll help you learn how to play a new instrument if you want. It doesn’t matter who you are. The band welcomes anyone.

Hitching Post:What’s one thing you want the school to know about marching band?

Escarlet: One thing I want the school to know about marching band is that we’re not nerds. We’re not nerds and we’re not weird. Like, there’s actually some amazing people in the band. We are super smart. Most of us have amazing grades, and it doesn’t matter if we’re not athletic, like you guys. Marching is still an athletic sport. It’s just not what you guys think would be. And we all do as much hard work as all of you guys. Every time you guys say that we don’t do anything in reality, we do, and we have late night long practices all the time. We have after school practices, like almost every day. We have 0 periods every day. And it’s just, give us more credit because we do a lot more than what you guys think.

Hitching Post: Thank you so much for your responses!

Amy sandoval:

Hitching Post: what’s your name?

my name is Amy Sandoval

Hitching Post: How long have you been in marching band?  

I’ve been doing marching band for two years.

Hitching Post: How long have you been here at Mesa?

I’ve been here for four years.  

Hitching Post:What instrument do you play?

I play the Bells. It’s an instrument in the front ensemble.

Hitching Post:If you had to say another instrument, what would it be?

Honestly, I think I pick guitar. It’s like something that is, I don’t really know how to explain it, but I’ve always been really interested in being able to play the guitar.

Hitching Post: What song did you perform that you enjoyed?

I liked our field show we did last year. It was called The Summit.

Hitching Post:What do you think about the new director?

Um, I haven’t had many conversations with Mr. Sanchez, but he seems like he really does care about our group and everything. He seemed really nice to everyone.

Hitching Post: How long have you been playing the instrument you play now?

I’ve been playing since seventh grade, so four years.

Hitching Post: What do you think is the hardest thing you have to do in marching band?

  I think it’s just, like, being able to bond with people ’cause it’s, like, mostly everyone already knows each other, so it’s kind of hard to, like, find somewhere you can fit in. But it’s fun.

Hitching Post:What grade are you?

 I’m a sophomore.

Hitching Post:What inspired you to join the marching band ?

 I’ve always had, like, a big connection with music growing up, and it’s always been something I wanted to do. So, I think it’s just, like, having that connection growing up that made me want to play an instrument.

Hitching Post: what makes the class fun?

Honestly, I think what makes it fun is the little group I have in my section, it’s me and my friends Carmen, and Jocelyn, it’s just a fun group to be with.  And they make the band feel like a safe place for me.

Hitching Post:What are some things in the Marching Band that keeps you going, despite challenges?

 I think it’s, honestly, just, like, the group itself. If someone is going for something, everyone is always there to support each other. like, “oh, you got this no matter what!”. And, even though there are different challenges, everyone’s always there to support each other.  

Hitching Post: Is there anything you would change in the Marching Band?

I wish there weren’t so many bits of drama in between everywhere.  I wish everyone was a big, happy family. I feel like, we’re all doing the same thing for a reason, and it’s probably because we all have a passion, so we should all fall in with each other instead of, like, having arguments.

Hitching Post:How has the Marching Band affected you as a person like you?

Throughout my two years, I did struggle a bit. However, being able to talk with people more, made me grow a bit more confident. Now, I can talk to people more without being really nervous and starting to cry, it really helped me gain confidence in myself.

Hitching Post:Do you have a memory you look back on fondly from marching band?

The first time we performed at one of our football games, I remember I was crying, and then everyone just came in to cheer me up, and they told me that it was okay, and that we were doing this together, so I got over my tears. When we were performing, I felt so happy, and I don’t know how to explain it.

Hitching Post:How would you describe a marching band to someone looking to join?

 I feel like people have stereotypes about certain people and that’s not really what the band is about. It’s people who have a connection with music. I feel like most people at school probably think marching bands are like, ugh, what is that?  Like, only losers play in a band. But there’s so many fun people there, it’s a really, really comforting space. I know there’s a bunch of stuff we have to do, but at the end of the day, we’re all together, and we’re bonding with each other.  And it’s like we’re all a family., if someone ever feels like they don’t connect with people. They could find people to connect there.

Melanie pang:

Melanie and her little sister before a game

Hitching Post: What’s your name?

Melanie: Melanie.

Hitching Post: And so how long have you been doing marching band?

Melanie: I’ve been doing it since 8th grade.

Hitching Post:How long have you been a student here at Mesa?

Melanie: Since seventh grade

Hitching Post: What do you play?

Melanie: I play the trombone.

Hitching Post:If you had to play another instrument, what would it be?

Melanie: bass guitar. I like the bass

Hitching Post:What inspired you to join the band and play your instrument?

Melanie: going to concerts in elementary school

Hitching Post:What’s a song you wish you could perform?

Melanie: a song with an orchestra? Like a collaboration.

Hitching Post: What’s something in the class that makes it better?

Melanie: All the people in the community

Hitching Post:What’s the song you enjoyed playing?

Melanie: Jazz, and probably Sao Meu Soul

Hitching Post: What do you think about the new director?

Melanie: I think he’s pretty nice.

Hitching Post: How long have you been playing trombone?

Melanie: I’ve been playing for four years

Hitching Post: Have you played any other instruments?

Melanie: I played the baritone before

Hitching Post: What do you think of the hardest thing you have to do in marching band

Melanie: I feel like all the time you have to put in.

Hitching Post:What grade are you?

Melanie: 12th

Hitching Post:What would you change about marching band?

Melanie: Involving the leadership more, giving them more of a role.

Hitching Post: How do you balance your school life?

Melanie: Uh, keep a calendar.

Hitching Post: How has marching band influenced you as a person?

Melanie: I definitely grew as a leader, and it got me out of my shell

Hitching Post:What’s a memory you look back fondly on?

Melanie: My first year, the first competition and stuff like that. meeting all the new people that year

Hitching Post: And how would you describe the Marching Band to someone looking to join, and what’s something you want school to know about?

Melanie: It’s a very inviting environment. We’ll take anybody, just come try out for one day.

Hitching Post: Thank you for your time!

Carmen lohora-young:

Carmen in the center with the red cardigan, feeling proud after receiving the outstanding performer award for drum line during the 25-26; band banquet. Her band mates around her celebrating her achievement along with her

Hitching Post: What’s your name and role in the marching band?

Carmen: My name is Carmen Lohora-Young I am the vice president of the marching band.

Hitching Post: How long have you been doing marching band?

Carmen: This will be my third year?

Hitching Post: How long have you been a student here in Mesa?

Carmen: Since seventh grade, that would be four years.

Hitching Post: What instrument do you play?

Carmen: Currently for marching band, I’m playing the vibraphone.

Hitching Post:If you had to play a different instrument, what would that be?

Carmen: The harp. It’s so cool. Last year there was a show that included it, gosh it was so cool. Also the way it sounds, I can’t even describe it. It’s so magical, but it’s so expensive to learn. I just don’t have those funds.

Hitching Post:What’s this song you enjoyed performing?

Carmen: Moon River during concert season, I played the trombone for it. It was so fun and beautiful and just a favorite song of mine. But if we’re talking about Vibraphones, I would definitely have to say My 2nd drum line show last year, well technically this year. Last season, which would be just my imagination. It had such a fun theme, the music was so cool, and the group was amazing.

Hitching Post:What do you think about the new director?

Carmen: Well, he comes from Chino Hills, they’re a very good and large group. They are like gods and we are just some small ant. I feel like it’s probably a bit of a culture shock for him to come here to Mesa, where we are so small that we get no recognition, little funding, and all our instruments are broken. To give him a little grace, I’m sure it’s surprising coming here and seeing all that. However, he gives me hope coming from something so amazing, that maybe he will build us back up to that level. I kinda wish he was a bit more outgoing and not afraid to talk to us students. I feel like having gone through so many marching band directors in so many years, has really left us with this kind of, cold feeling in the group’s hearts. Right now, we need somebody to not only be a good director and lead, but also somebody to, give us a pat on the back and be friendly and have small meaningless chats with. We just need that warmth right now, and I wish we got it a bit more from Mr. Sanchez. However it’s still his first year, he’s probably a little shy, I totally get it, I would be shy too, but I hope soon he feels comfortable with our band since we all want to be a welcoming space for him.

Hitching Post:How long have you been playing the instrument you play now?

Carmen: Well with the vibraphone you kinda go by tiers. I don’t think anyone immediately starts on the Vibes. I started on the bells in 5th grade, and I moved to vibraphone during last year’s marching season. So I guess you could say I’ve been playing the vibraphone for about a year now. But I’ve been playing the bells, which is a similar instrument, for almost six years.

Hitching Post:What do you think is the hardest thing you have to do in marching band?

Carmen: The hardest thing is not losing your passion. Even now, I sometimes struggle to remember what I’m there for, because it’s stressful. Like I’m not gonna lie to you. Marching bands is really stressful, and sometimes you’re going to be like, “oh my God, I don’t want to go to practice, have my homework, I have an essay to work on, an 11 page article I’m supposed to read and write about, a full page or two of math homework, a chemistry paper I didn’t finish in class, all that I have to do the same night I have rehearsal from 5 PM to 8 PM. How am I gonna make that work when it’s due the next day?”.it gets stressful and it makes you forget, like, why you were there in the first place. And for me, it’s to play music, to be a part of something, to be a part of a community that we’re all there for the same reason, to play, and to be a part of this group. And I think that’s probably the hardest part is to not lose yourself in the stress.

Hitching Post:What grade are you?

Carmen: 10th grade, my sophomore year

Hitching Post: What inspired you to join the marching band?

Carmen: So, um, a very long time ago, I remember going to see a drumline (which is basically the winter marching band without the band and just the drums and the front ensemble) When I was so little, little, little, and I remember seeing a vibraphone and thinking, holy moly, I want to do that one day. From that, I went on, I was at elementary school, and we had the option to do band, and I saw the bells, and that was the closest thing to a vibraphone. And now, I’m here, playing the vibraphone, and it’s a real full circle moment. But also I go to Disneyland pretty often, and when you see the marching band or honestly any band anywhere, seeing them play and the feeling you get from watching them do something they love. It makes you want to do that too. I want to impact the people with the music I make. I want people to see on my face while I’m playing my instrument that I love it, and that they can feel that I love it and love it through me. if that makes sense.

Hitching Post: What’s a song you wish to perform?

Carmen: Well, any Laufey song.I love jazz. Jazz is my favorite thing ever. If I could choose, I would love to play a Chet Baker song in jazz. That would be great.

Hitching Post: What’s something you enjoy in marching band that makes the class fun?

Carmen: I feel like marching band kind of gives you trauma bonding with people. Like, you go through so much together, and you’re with some of these people more than you’re with your parents. it kind of forces you to create these connections that otherwise you wouldn’t have created. I think that that’s probably one of the greatest things ever. all the friends that I’ve made, unlikely friends, and likely friends, really makes it all worth it.

Hitching Post: What drives you to keep going despite challenges?

Carmen: This is my biggest thing that I tell everybody, and it’s what I’m kind of building what I want to do as vice president. I feel like a lot of times, especially, especially now, our marching band is way too focused on the physical trophies, and the accomplishments, and the medals, not focused on why we’re there. You need passion. You can win these trophies, you can be so good, but being good doesn’t mean you’re gonna like it. I feel even if you’re good, if you don’t like it, it’s gonna make it even harder to keep going. I am so grateful that I love my instrument. I love the vibes so much, I feel like the vibraphone is an extension of me. I feel it really pushes me to keep going. Obviously, my friends always push me, but there have been times, especially under old directors, that I’ve wanted to quit, and I didn’t. I just couldn’t find the love and joy I used to have. However it feels like that all kind of melts away when I’m on my instrument playing, it keeps me going. I really do think the only reason I’ve gotten so far skill wise at my instrument is because I fully love playing it. I think it’s truly just the passion I have that pushes me despite challenges.

Hitching Post: Why have you made an effort to be a part of a marching band?

Carmen: Something I think that a lot of people don’t really recognize about marching bands is, well, I’ve already talked about this, but the connections you make. You create these super specific, but meaningful connections with people that you otherwise wouldn’t have made, and I feel like the sense of community has kept me there and kept me coming back. Well also I love playing my instrument and where else am I gonna get to play the vibraphone in a group of people? But it’s also just the sense of community. I think something that our marching band has, that not many other marching bands might have, is just, we are all truly friends, most of us, hopefully one day all of us. But most of us are. And the sense of community is beautiful. It just keeps coming back every time.

Hitching Post: Is there anything you would change about marching band?

Carmen: I actually don’t know. I think… I’d like to have band camp be shorter. Every time band camp rolls around, I do it every time, I make it work, but it’s like, dude, I’m there for six hours. I’m losing my crap by the end of it, I’m going through psychosis. It’s actually crazy. But obviously, it’s needed. I understand that we need it, and so that’s why I continue, but in a perfect world, it would not be more than a school day.

Hitching Post: How do you balance your school life and your marching band life?

Carmen: Despite what everyone else says, I actually don’t keep a calendar. I don’t keep anything. I ride my life’s wave, and I kind of just hope for the best, but I do write on my arm a lot with things I have to do throughout the day. I think a to-do list kind of keeps me together, because if I have my to-do list, I see it, I’m like, “okay, I have practice, but I need to do this. I need to do that.” But I also think just holding yourself accountable, being like,” okay, I have to do my AP world homework before rehearsal, because I’m not gonna want to stay up past 8 after I spent all this time rehearsing to do my homework. I’m just gonna wanna take a shower and go to sleep.” So it’s just holding yourself accountable and getting things done as soon as you get them. I think, really helps.

Hitching Post: Are there any other classes you’re taking this year?

Carmen: My classes that I’m taking this year are, obviously, marching band. pre-AP English, honors chemistry, journalism where I’m one of three editors in chief, Enhanced Math 3. Advanced Choir, and AP World.

Hitching Post: how’s marching band influenced you as a person?

Carmen: In more ways than I could ever, ever, ever express. Marching bands force you to learn so many things that sometimes you don’t want to learn. Like I said, you’re with these people more than you’re with your parents. it forces you to be civil with people that you don’t necessarily like. It forces you to keep track of your crap, it forces you to actually do stuff, and it forces you to get out of your bed every single day.

Carmen: It forces you to have a priority list. For example, I want to hang out with my friends. I wanna do my homework. I still have to practice. So it forces you to pick and choose things. I feel like that’s a life skill. It teaches you so many life skills that I don’t think every other group does. But most of all the connections you make influence you, and you wouldn’t have made those connections, otherwise, if you didn’t join the marching band. I think it’s just the butterfly effect. If I never joined the marching band, I don’t think I’d be the same person I am now. I’d be a totally different person. I don’t think I would be half as good or cool of a person as I am today.

Hitching Post: What’s one memory or two that you look back to fondly from marching band?

Carmen: So one of my closest friends, who is, unfortunately, a graduated senior and a freshman in college now, her name is Jordan Toledo. She was a drum major last year. I think this was my rookie year, she and I accidentally matched pajamas that we wore to marching competitions. If you don’t know this, marching competitions go on so late at night. You could be playing at 6 p.m. and the awards could be at 9. so you’re just sitting there in the bleachers, watching other marching bands play for 3 hours straight. Back to my story, We were accidentally matching, and we decided to take a photo. That photo was my background for almost a whole year. Back then I didn’t know she would become such an important part of my life, but now I see it as one of our first memories of being good friends.

Graduated senior Jordan Toledo and Carmen at the 25-26 band banquet

Hitching Post: What’s one thing you want the school to know about marching band?

Carmen: It’s up to you. Marching band has been and is a space for magic to happen, creating life long connections, learning life skills, a safe space, and so so much more. However, the way its going now I fear for the possibility of future generations not getting to know this experience as it wont be available anymore. I know its easy to read this and think “well this doesn’t affect me so I wont worry about it” but this program matters so much to so many people, and has been a staple of mesa culture for decades. We are literally the city of the arts!! I don’t want our school to lose something so amazing as our marching band program. To add on to this, Marching band is not the only program that is currently facing these fears. there are so many other amazing programs on campus that are also facing a decline. I heavily encourage you to go and support, even if its not football, learn about all the amazing things our school has to offer. Its up to you.

Hitching Post: Thank you so much for your time and your words!