For many students, football halftime means that it’s time to go to the bathroom, talk to their friends, or get concessions, but for students in the marching band, halftime is a time to perform and to show off what they’ve spent so long learning. Between 12-hour practices over the summer and all the time put in after and outside of school, Waterloo band members have dedicated much of their time to perfecting this year's show, Dis/Array.

Techniques and expectations in marching band have changed greatly over the past few decades, and Dis/Array uses these developments to its full advantage. The show begins with a more traditional style of marching and playing and becomes more and more modern as the show slowly descends into discord. Dis/Array is all about going from order to chaos; traditional to modern. Everything from the music to the movements to the props and uniforms is taken into account when portraying the theme of a marching show, and the Waterloo band parents and staff members have put great amounts of effort into making those elements come to life.

Waterloo High School band director Zachary Smith puts great emphasis on the importance of community between sports and clubs in the school. He is pleased by the amount of participation and interest from the student section this year when it comes to the band, but stresses how important it is for groups to support each other across activities. 

The band has had an amazingly successful season so far, with strong performances both at home at football games and away at competitions. When it comes to competitions this season, the band placed first at Murphysboro Drums at Apple Time and second at the Edwardsville Tiger Ambush Classic.

Not everyone finds marching band to be particularly interesting, but Waterloo High School is lucky enough to have an incredibly impressive and successful band with lots of support from an amazing community that thrives on the dedication of its members and supporters.