By Sofia Vialpondo
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s marching band has a very welcoming tradition that occurs at most football games they perform at. This tradition brings the marching band closer and keeps them connected to graduated members.
At every game, the marching band at Mira Costa invites all alumni marching band members to march with them. These alumni members usually join before they are off to college, giving them a chance to see their past teammates before they leave.
“It was great to be able to see a lot of my friends from last year. It brought back a lot of feelings of nostalgia for me and many other members of the marching band,” marching band member Emily Angstreich said.
For many marching band members, the alumni returning to play with them brings a sense of team unity to the team. Marching band members feel that it strengthens relationships within marching band and brings the team closer.
“The alumni playing with us reminds people that we are all still a family even though the seniors have graduated,” sophomore Emily Angstreich said.
The alumni returning to march in the band also creates an opportunity for coaches and members to see how the marching band has progressed over the years. It also gives the alumni the chance to see new marches and performances the band does.
“It was a lot of fun to be with them again and show them how I have grown as a person and a marcher/musician,” marching band member Bianca Doulong said.
Mira Costa’s marching band has been doing this for a while now that it has developed into a tradition. The marching band welcomes alumni back at anytime and often alumni join in on the marching at football games.
“Alumni are always invited to come back to visit or to play in the football games with the band which is an opportunity to show them how much we have grown,” Emily Angstreich said.
Many members of the band think that is a special opportunity to see the alumni again. For most members it is their last time to see the alumni before they leave or a chance to see alumni that have been in college for a few years.
“It is a special occasion for the band. When our seniors graduate, we miss them all very dearly because we are all like family. It is a treat to have them come back and catch up with us before they leave for college,” marching band member Elisse Friedman said.
Marching band members all look forward to the alumni returning to march with them. It serves as a time to catch up with old friends and stay connected. It also gives an opportunity for the new freshmen to meet graduated marching members.
“It is always fun having the alumni come back and play with us and they always bring the coolest stories with them. Also, they already know the music so it is really easy for them to join in,” Elisse Friedman said.
The marching band plans to keep the special tradition of alumni members returning to march with them. They feel it brings them closer together and makes the marching band a more welcoming place.
“I think having them back brings us closer together. It is a way for multiple generations of band kids to connect, so our freshmen have a chance to meet the fabulous alumni they never got to march with,” Friedman said.
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