Bass drums laying out the beat, the focus is high. Left, right, left, right. The band marches onto the field and waits for the command.

The marching band will be traveling to Liberal on Oct. 22 to compete in the annual Western Athletic Conference, or WAC, marching competition.

“Marching bands perform their halftime shows for judges,” band director Craig Manteuffel said. “A final rating of one through five is given to each school. The judging captions are music, marching and maneuvering, general effect, percussion and auxiliary units. Auxiliary units include flags, the twirler and the dance team.”

Manteuffel said marching has benefits for both the larger group and the individual. Many different aspects attribute to these benefits.

“It helps because they are working for a common goal to perfect the show,” Manteuffel said. “It builds teamwork and esprit de corps. The individual marcher learns multitasking and organization. Marching is also physical activity and music is food for the soul.”

The WAC marching festival is not the only marching competition the band will be playing at this year. On Oct. 28 they will perform at the FHSU High Plains Marching Festival.

“FHSU is always cleaner than WAC,” senior Amy Jordan said. “At WAC it is our first time being judged, so at FHSU we have a better idea of what to expect.”

Manteuffel said the band has performed at the festivals for many years.

“The Marching Indians have marched at the WAC Marching Festival since 1997 and the FHSU High Plains Marching since the 1970s or since its existence,” Manteuffel said. “I marched in the High Plains Marching Festival with the Hays High Band in 1978, 1979 and 1980.”

Sophomore Mariela Estrada said she is excited for the festival.

“I am very excited for the festivals simply because they give us a chance as a band to show how much talent we truly have,” Estrada said. “I also like them because they give me a chance to hang out with friends and to do something I love doing.”

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