music under the night lights: the kamiak show band experience

by Aydin Pehlivan, Reporter

Op-Ed, Ensemble Spotlight, School News

The show band program here at Kamiak has developed a reputation over the years as one of the most consistently well-performing marching bands in the Pacific Northwest. As a junior, I  decided to commit to the group after viewing a number of performances of 2021’s Off the Wall show. Dedicating hours to this collection of highly invested and musical peers has been an indescribable experience of sweat, smiles, and surreal sunsets. A feeling of an exhilarating performance paying off after countless rehearsals with so many people by my side is one that I will undoubtedly miss once my days of band come to an end.  

Until this year, I was not involved in any kind of sports or clubs, either in or outside of Kamiak. I quit band for my sophomore year to focus on my other classes, which was a decision I would ultimately regret once I watched the 2021 Show Band performance multiple times in Everett, and once at Kamiak. I saw the passion and effort put into the show, every little piece of it was clearly rehearsed, and the band was massive. Something even more amazing about it, that stood out to me, was the massive group of over 90 people all seemed to be friends. It felt like a real team. Wanting to be a part of that, I asked Mr. Hunninghake about re-joining band for my junior year and was able to join show band once spring camp arrived.

I showed up for the first spring camp meeting in May. As soon as I found my footing, I had the joy of being in a special place of belonging. Even if we were just learning simple warm-ups, I could tell that I was with a family. During the three-week long summer band camp, we were committed to daily 9 to 9 rehearsals. Though it tested my stamina, the effort didn’t matter, because we were learning so many interesting parts of our show such as choreography and form moves on a daily basis to put together. 

Our show this year, Petals, is especially creative when compared to all other marching bands in the area. We rehearsed 8 minutes of music and visuals, featuring multiple solos. Most of the band performed pole choreography by moving a green PVC pipe, similar to how color guard members usually would with flags. During part three of the show, 70 members doing pole choreography were accompanied by didgeridoos, music, and choreography throughout. 

Going into our first public performance at a football game was nerve-racking, but once we started playing under a phenomenal sunset performing everything we worked on over the past month for an audience, the experience was everything I wanted it to be. When it was over I felt accomplished in myself and the people around me. 

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For help describing the one-of-a-kind experience, I asked the question, “What makes  Kamiak Show Band special?” to a group of show band members. 

Chase Stafford (‘23), a senior and lead snare drummer, is one of the most dedicated members of the marching band. When asked the question, he replied, “The Show Band is such a unique and special activity that combines creativity, artistry, and physicality into one unifying group. I thoroughly enjoy watching the progress we make as the season goes on.” Stafford loves the evolution over the course of the season and said, “After our final performance, we are unrecognizable to the group we started as in the beginning  of the year. That growth combined with the opportunity to spend time with an amazing group of  people is what makes The Kamiak Show Band a fun and fulfilling environment. Not to mention, we do boast many a trophy.” 

Milana Thomas (‘24), a second-time show band member and clarinet soloist this year, said, “Probably the end result and feeling of accomplishment [makes show band so special]. Also, being in a big group of people is a comforting aspect. The band also helps me with skills like consistency and  time management.” 

Brenna Torgesen (‘23), head drum major and senior member of the show band, shared her opinion by saying, “Probably the people above all else, it’s the sense of community and family that makes band so important to me. The feeling of knowing you have support all around you from fellow  students as well as techs is one I haven’t found anywhere else.” 

But of course, I cannot only ask veteran members who are in their second or third year of show band, so I approached some rookie members. Of such, Josh Lingappaiah (‘25), a trumpet player who joined for his first year of show band in 2022, said, “Spending so much time with the people in it creates a special bond and sense of comradery.”

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Kamiak faced the first judged show of the season at Music in Motion on October 1, where we finished  with a score of 78 in finals, a first place win if we competed rather than being the host. In just two weeks (10/15), the show band braced for our first competition, the Sunset Classic in Beaverton, Oregon. Kamiak placed first in prelims with a score of  81.90, and then first again in finals with a score of 85.35, sweeping the competition by winning the award in every category. October 22nd was the Puget Sound Festival of Bands, which followed a week of indoor rehearsals due to the poor air quality. We persevered through the air conditions and managed to place first at prelims and second in finals, only scoring lower than Cheney High School.  

On November 4th, we embarked on one final journey. This performance would determine it all after two weeks of intense preparation for finals in Autzen Stadium, home of the Oregon Ducks. We arrived at Sprague High School at one in the morning and slept on the commons’ floors. Arriving at Autzen Stadium, I was intimidated by the height of the audience and a screen which is massive, likely even larger than our band room, but we used our maximum energy on the field and came away with 3rd place at finals with a phenomenal score of 89.20. 

Getting to know the group of people who participated in this show was phenomenal, and many members, including myself, were completely flooded with emotion as the season wrapped. Seeing the growth our group has made since the start of our season is an astounding achievement in itself, and I cannot wait to see where this group goes next.

I encourage anyone reading this to join the Kamiak Show Band in 2023 for another season of incredible friendships, growth, self-improvement, and accomplishment.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.