By Sierra Williams
Staff Writer
With a score of 83.7 out of 100, Mira Costa’s Marching Band and Colorguard received fourth place out of 12 bands in Division 4A on Dec.1 at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Championships in Downey, California.
This was the first time that the Mira Costa Marching Band and Colorguard competed at the championship level; however, this was the group’s last competitive performance of the season.
“We all knew it was our last show with the current senior class, and that encouraged us all to do the best that we possibly could,” saxophone player junior Thomas Alexander said. “We had really great student leadership, an amazing staff and extremely dedicated members.”
The band only had a week to practice for the competition after Thanksgiving break.
“Even with only a week to practice, we wanted to do well and took the championships more seriously than any other competition throughout the year,” Colorguard co-captain junior Chelsea Williams said.
A majority of the 2012 Marching Band and Colorguard seniors has been part of the program for four years.
“We do something called Legacy Arcs, where all the seniors step out and watch the band perform one last time after the season ends,” percussion section leader senior Casey Choi said. “That is when it really got emotional and people started crying.”
Although it was a bittersweet event, the Marching Band members believe they had a great season with their performances of “Electropolis,” this year’s theme.
“I was in denial that this was my last show,” Colorguard captain senior Rachel Azafrani said. “I am so proud of the Colorguard. We ended the season strongly.”
“Electropolis” helped the band receive a total of 14 awards throughout the 2012 season for its performances.
“There have been groups attending the championships for 10 years who have never cracked the top five”, band director Joel Carlson said. “The hard work we have done was confirmed to be the right work by the judges.”
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