The Hays High School marching band, under direction of new teacher Hector Hernandez, performed a halftime performance of “Numbers” at football games and at different competitions this season.

The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) performance was held on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and the band traveled to Dodge City to perform. They received an overall rating of II, with scores of II in general effect, II in marching, II in music, III in percussion and II in auxiliary.

“I really like working with rifles to add variety in the show, instead of using flags the entire performance,” junior Savannah Clingan said.

Clingan, alongside juniors Kennedi Fischer and Kynli Koenigsman, had featured solos at the front of the field during the band’s second song.

“The flags are pretty to see waving behind the band, but it’s a good challenge to work with something else,” Clingan said.

After receiving notes and rehearsing more, the band performed at the Senior Night football game on Friday, Oct. 25. Senior band members were recognized at the game, and the students performed at what could be the last home football game, depending on the team’s playoff games.

The group also performed at the High Plains Marching Festival, hosted by Fort Hays State University, on Monday, Oct. 28. They received a score of Superior, the highest score that bands can receive in competition, with scores of Superior in general effect, Superior in marching, Superior in music, Superior in percussion and Superior in auxiliary.

“It’s a throwback to when I was in high school,” Hernandez said, adding that, in his senior year, his high school’s marching band also performed a show of “Numbers,” including “25 or 6 to 4”. “The point of this show was to figure out my footing in a new school and to see how the band and audience reacts. It’s been executed well, as we get better each day in rehearsal. Now that I have this under my belt, I feel confident in what the band will do in concert season this year, but also future marching seasons.”

25kwillemsen@usd489.com