Joining marching band will change your life. You will travel and meet many, many people. I was worried about fitting in my freshman year, but everyone was so welcoming that I never felt alone. You will make your best high school/middle school memories in band.  JOIN. 

-Serenity Adams | Clarinet

Class of 2025

Marching Band was the activity that got me through high school. I've made most of my friends in band, and I'll always be grateful for that. Even if you're hesitant on doing marching band, see it through and you won't regret it. It teaches you hard work and discipline that you'll use for the rest of your life. It's an incredible opportunity to better yourself, make memories, and create friendships for a lifetime.

-Cole Ethington | Drum Major & Saxophone

Class of 2025

It's harder than it looks, but don't let that scare you away. Trust the process, and you'll make it to the end.

-Logan Psak | Trumpet

Class of 2025

People often think the commitment needed to participate in band is a colossal mountain that they will be unable to climb. While it's true you need to be able to work hard, joining band has taught me how to work hard and how to manage a large work load. You have an amazing support system of people around you, all fighting the same fight you are. They will lift you up when you thought nobody else would. Marching band teaches you more than just how to play your instrument, or spin a flag, or move in time. It teaches you character: respect, humility, responsibility, self discipline, and so much more. In my opinion, marching band prepares you for the real world more effectively than any other high school activity you could partake in. Give it a try, and you might shock yourself. 

-Nick Murray | Color Guard

Class of 2025

Honestly, I was super hesitant about joining the marching band at first. I wasn’t sure if it was for me, and I definitely didn’t expect it to have such a big impact on my life. But since my freshman year, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for my grades, my confidence, and who I am as a person. Through marching band, I learned how to manage my time, step up as a leader, and stay grounded when things got stressful. I found hope in hard days, built real confidence, and made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. And the memories, some of the best I’ve ever made. If you're even thinking about joining the marching band... do it. I get that it might not seem like your thing because I felt the same way. But I stuck with it, and I grew so much, both in the band and as a person. You might be surprised how much it’ll mean to you.

-Hannah Stengel | Flute

Class of 2025

My decision to join not only marching band but just band in general my sophomore year was easily the best decision I've ever made for myself. I had no experience with the band but on my very first day my eyes were opened up to a world of friendships, opportunities, and the most fun and rewarding activity I've ever taken part in. I don't know where I would be today without it. 

-Nate Delehanty | Tuba

Class of 2024

The Woodford County Band program is amazing for anyone who wants to be a musician. The marching band program can be hard at first, but the people in the band with you will make it one hundred times better.

-Colton Gray | Percussion

Class of 2024

Marching Band is an experience, and even that word doesn't describe what marching band is as a whole. It takes a lot of dedication, and a lot of waking up early in the mornings. In time, you'll love and see the dedication that goes into it, and the final product of the show compared to what it was at the beginning will be all worthwhile to see.

-Elijah Boone | Tuba

Class of 2024

Band has been the best part of my high school experience: the friends, the community, the football & basketball games, the competitions, the concerts are worth the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to create and perform something you love, and I would hate for anyone to miss it.

-Romie Francis | Percussion

Class of 2024

Through band, I gained hope, confidence, and a family. It gave me life. I wouldn’t take it back for a second.

-Andy Mayer | Bass Clarinet

Class of 2023

Why? Marching band for me was a great way to ease the tradition from middle school to high school. I highly recommend joining. If you are hesitate of joining attend spring training, send an email, ask questions. Band is a every so growing family, anyone is welcome.

-Andrea Chandler | Clarinet

Class of 2023

I know people who joined band later in school, and they talk about how much they regretted not joining sooner. You'll make great friends and amazing memories in this program, so give it a shot. You can always quit if you don't like it, but you can't go back and do it over again. 

-Sydney Dunn | Drum Major & Trumpet

Class of 2023

“Marching Band is a great program for any person to try. It gives everyone an opportunity to shine in an ever-expanding group of caring and accepting people—not to mention the amazing experiences everyone has throughout the season.” 

"Marching band has provided me with a family that will last for the rest of my life. It’s given me a level of discipline that will not only remain with me as a musician but as a human being." 

“I was hesitant about joining marching band, but it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Not only did I make 70 new and very close friends over the course of the season, but I also developed a love for music and performing that has redefined my life. Music has become my passion and my purpose. The commitment was definitely worth it.” 

Marching band gave me the best friends I've ever made. I finally belonged somewhere. Performing with my fellow musicians was an experience I will never forget, and being under the stadium lights was a treasure, but the four years of laughter, fun, and friendship were priceless on their own.

-Macey Wade | Saxophone

Class of 2020

Marching band changed my life. At first I wasn’t keen on spending so much time outdoors or sweating, but a couple hours into my first day of band camp was all it took to hook me. I was welcomed by a great group of upperclassmen, and they made the transition to high school so much easier and less scary. Through marching band, I became of a tight-knit group of friends who I’ve come to think of as my brothers and sisters. Band has opened a lot of doors for me and I’ve been able to do a lot of great things, but when I look back, the friendships are what matter the most. 

-Ben Humphries | Drum Major & Mellophone

Class of 2020

Joining marching band (specifically color guard but I am a little biased) is a great opportunity to find a home before school even starts. You practice during summer and you find your way around the school and you meet friends. It’s hard work but when you work hard you get to play hard. The people you meet here are going to see you at your best and at your worst but they love you just the same. This is the best place to find a second family. They are your friends even after you graduate. 

-Makenzie Burton | Color Guard

Class of 2020

Marching band (and band in general) is an amazing experience. It teaches you important life lessons while also giving you the best time of your life. I only did marching band for two years and that is one of my biggest regrets. I can confidently say those two years were the best of my high school years. All the amazing bonds and friendships you make along the way will last a life time. The spectacular instructors help you improve and have a fun time. Everything about it is wonderful. The best experiences for me in my years of high school came from marching band.

Cole Lafoe | Trumpet

Class of 2020

When I joined the marching band, I was timid and scared. The first few band camp days were hard for me. As I kept pushing myself and working harder, I started to understand what we were working towards. The chance to show the world what we could do. Not only did I become more confident as a person, but I also became a better musician. I am grateful for the friends, family, supporting parents, and amazing directors that I met along the way. I wish I could put into words what these three years have meant to me, but it's hard to explain with such depth and emotion. I will never forget the tears of joy shed after an amazing performance or the cheering and happiness we brought others. The feeling of looking up into the crowd at your last performance makes you feel lucky to have been part of such a wonderful group. 

Brooklyn Harris | Flute

Class of 2021

When I joined Marching Band my freshman year I most certainly did not expect it to become such an important part of my life. The people within this program have become my role models, lifelong friends, and most importantly my family. I never knew what it felt like to truly belong somewhere before I joined, and I have never been more myself than I was out on that field and within that band room. Everyone had a place in this program, and that’s what made it feel like home. 

Madison Ryker | Trumpet

Class of 2021

Marching Band helped me find a void of endless laughs and love, along with the want to achieve the standards of my best self everyday. This program offers a sense of identity and unity to every individual each and every day, and the opportunity to find the love for music or  an expressive art form such as Colorguard. 

-Camilla Cosby | Color Guard

Class of 2022

I was a bit hesitant about joining marching band my freshman year because I had heard stories of how tiring it is and how much time it takes, but joining marching band was one of the best decisions of my life.  Marching band isn't just a big group of band kids, it is a family.  When I first started band camp it allowed me to get in the swing of things and condition myself to handle the hard work, and it allowed me to get familiar with the high school building because we had practice rooms.  This kind of gave me an advantage over other freshmen because we got to be in the school before anyone else over the summer.  I have made some of my closest lifelong friends in marching band and we all got to hang out for hours during and after band.  Marching band gave me motivation that I didn't have before and made me feel that I have a purpose, it helped teach me to keep pushing, even if I was worn out and didn't feel like I could keep going, I could always be able to find the energy for another set. 

-Eli Sager | Trumpet

Class of 2022

If you're considering joining, my answer is yes. Take a chance, walk towards opportunities. For me, marching band and color guard was just one of many opportunities, and looking back 5 years later, I wouldn't change a thing. Of course, not every opportunity that pops up may be something you stick to, and that's okay! You can still say you took the leap of faith, and who knows, you may end up with another family and wonderful experiences. You never know if you never try.

-Morgan Fitzpatrick | Color Guard

Class of 2022