Alumni

Are you an IHS Vikings Band Alumni? Would you like to share your story about our band program?

If yes, please email us with a subject line of "From IHS Band Alumni: your name" to IHSVikingsMusicBoosters@Gmail.com. Please include a photo, intro, and a paragraph of your experience/testimonial of the Vikings Band.

Thank you very much!

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Joining marching band was the single best decision I made during my time at Irvington. I love making music with other people, and marching band created an environment where I was able to get to know the people in my ensembles on a much deeper level than just which instrument they played. My love and appreciation of music (and of marching) increased so much over my time in marching band. It’s a community that’s completely unique at Irvington, and one that was a privilege and honor to be a part of.

I was able to get to know students older than me, which was a huge blessing when it came to getting advice. It’s also really awesome to be able to pass that on to students younger than me and help the cycle continue. I made some of my best friends in marching band, and it was so much fun marching with them throughout all four years of high school.

Mr. Rodda and Ben also helped me develop and grow so much as a leader and a person. Irvington is so lucky to have them as directors. They truly pushed us to be our best while encouraging and loving us.

Marching band is hard work, but joining and investing in it completely pays off. You won’t find a tighter community (esp. in the trumpet section, shoutout <3). I am so proud to be an alumni of Irvington’s marching band. I hope you get to experience the absolute joy that it brought to my high school experience.

Being a part of color guard throughout high school was definitely an unforgettable experience. Even though I have prior experience dancing, I feel that the environment is very beginner friendly and super encouraging for anyone interested in dancing, spinning, or just having fun. While it can be a lot of hard work, it is truly worth it, because it pays off in learning a new skill and through invaluable experiences with a tight-knit community. Not only have I been able to learn the importance of teamwork, dedication, and leadership, but I have met so many amazing people through guard as well. It becomes a big family where we all help and support each other through our struggles inside and outside of guard. I am very grateful to have been a part of such an incredible community that was Irvington's color guard and highly encourage anyone to join. Nothing beats the feeling of performing with a group of other talented individuals, so I hope you get to experience it as well.

It was always a complete joy to stand up and cheer during the marching band award ceremonies when the announcer called out "The Irvington High School Marching Band", because we knew that the energy, concentration, talent, and hard work that 200+ of us poured into this team was something to be proud of. Inexperienced freshmen enter marching band in their first year, and leave their fourth year with memories, new skills, and most of all, a family.

Marching band frees up an extra class during the normal 6 period day because you no longer have to take PE (and season is only first semester!), meaning you can take an extracurricular class that you enjoy, or an AP class to boost that GPA! In college, one of the things I miss most about Irvington is marching band, because I will never have the opportunity to do it again. The skills that marching band teaches you are versatile and adaptable, especially in college; checking my diagonals in rank and file transferred over to my UCLA dance team formations, the team spirit and energy infuses in my various leadership positions, the concentration, dedication, and commitment to trying my absolute best in every step I take is what carries me through my organic chemistry and upper division classes.

Please don't miss out on this opportunity to grow as a musician, person, and leader! Please email me with any questions, whether about marching band, Irvington, music, or college! (chloeretika@g.ucla.edu)

Marching band was definitely one of my favorite experiences throughout high school!

Not only was it a valuable opportunity to improve my music, teamwork, and leadership skills, but I also loved bonding with my fellow bandmates through every moment, whether it was an arduous rehearsal, sweepstakes-winning performance, or fun-filled bus ride. Overall, band was a super rewarding and fun experience, and I truly treasure every memory I've made over the four years! Please join, you will NOT regret it :)

Marching band was one of my favorite experiences in high school! I loved playing music and rehearsing alongside such a close-knit, energetic, and positive community, and it’s so amazing how hardworking and talented everyone is. It truly felt like being part of a team –– as an entire band and also within sections, we helped each other learn and improve, practiced together for hours each week, and never stopped supporting one another. Because of how tight our team is, I was able to learn so much from my fellow classmates, not only improving my skills in playing music but also “soft skills” like welcoming and guiding newer students and holding together a team. I’ve made so many memories from after-school rehearsals, bonding events, and competitions, and met people who are incredibly driven and passionate. Playing music and marching with the band is such a fun team effort, and the sense of community and pride we all feel from being able to master certain techniques or successfully finish a performance is amazing! Join marching band –– you’ll learn so much and have so much fun!

Marching band was like a second home to me.

It was a place where I could help mentor the younger classes while learning to become a better leader myself. It was a place where I could create lifelong friends to cherish lifelong memories together. It was a place where I could feel a sense of unity from yelling “ONE!” after “Band Atten Hut”.

To highlight an experience, winning back-to-back-to-back-to-back sweepstakes awards at Lincoln’s marching band review was a feeling like no other. The energy from the stands was practically palpable from the field. Cheers rang as the award announcer echoed “IRVINGTON” once more. The best part? Understanding that this accomplishment was a combined effort of 350+ individual band and color guard members all working together to reach a common goal. No other activity at Irvington compares to that scale.

I joined marching band to be a part of this community, to find a tight-knit circle of friends, and ultimately to grow as an individual. Looking back, I’m privileged to have had such a diverse set of experiences and opportunities throughout my high school career.

Happy to chat anytime about band, leadership, university, grad school, & CS! (ejchen @ andrew.cmu.edu)