This year, the Freedom Big Red Marching Band has invited eighth graders to participate in performing during pregame and halftime performances. Seventh and eighth graders were invited to join the drill team, majorettes, and color guard. 

Marching band pushes students to play more difficult music and to a more widespread audience when performing. It also has more difficult concepts of music and incorporations of notes. Marching band requires students to have incredible skills in teamwork and responsibility. 

Over the summer, marching band members get to practice for the show for two weeks in August. Band camp is a fun opportunity for the marching band members to create friendships and teamwork. 

In May 2024, the marching band members went to the middle school to perform a little performance for the junior high students. They brought down the seventh and eighth graders to watch and learn. Ms. Emily Rickard, former band director, gave out forms to interested students to join the drill team, color guard, and majorettes.

“I love watching the half-time performances that we do every Friday night, and watching all the band members have so much fun performing together,” Miss Julia Lawrence, band director, stated.

“I get to go to all of the football games and be in them,” Tayler Dalesandro, eighth-grade student, and front unit member, said, “And a lot of the students up at the high school are nice.”

“I like doing the drill team, because it’s exciting but scary at the same time,” Olivia Camp, eighth-grade student, and drill team member, said.