'As Time Goes By' for the Nevada Tiger Pride Marching Band

Alexandra Holder, guard member, passes behind Cameron Byergo, Trombone, during the Nevada Tiger Pride Marching Band's first performance at the Webbstock Marching Festival in Webb City, Mo., on Saturday, Sept. 27.--Michael Pommier/Herald-Tribune

At 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, more than 90 students gathered at Nevada High School. These students are the members of the Nevada High School Tiger Pride Marching Band and they assembled together to make the trip to Webb City, Mo., to compete with 26 other high school marching bands at the Webbstock Marching Competition.

This year's show is titled "As Time Goes By" and that was certainly true last Saturday. More than 15 hours had passed before the students arrived back in Nevada after the competition.

"It's really kind of a marathon, the kids need to be in pretty good shape," said Head Band Director Tom Meyer. "It is very physically demanding and emotionally demanding. Marching band is becoming a lot more popular in the last few years. It's a whole different ball game. It has evolved pretty much into a sport."

Senior Drum Major Wesley Coffer agreed, adding, "It is very competitive, fun, intense and tiring, but it's worth it."

Between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., the members packed up their instruments and uniforms and loaded a box truck. While this was going on, the members also participated in some early morning stretching and warm-ups. At 9:30 a.m., the members loaded the three buses and departed for Webb City, Mo.

The instruments, uniforms and equipment were unloaded shortly after arriving in the parking lot, which resembled that of a football game. There were pick-up football games and barbecues heating up.

At 11:45 a.m., the members put on their uniforms. In the spot where individuals once stood suddenly was filled by the Tiger Pride Marching Band. More warming up and stretching ensued before taking the field for competition.

During this time Director Meyer took on the roll of master of motivation by giving intense speeches to the band to get them mentally focused.

"It's my job to be on top of everything ... I have to get the band ready physically, and mentally," said Meyer. "I'll use anything that I can possibly find to motivate the students."

At 1 p.m. the band took the field for competition. This is the first time that the show will be presented for competition after nearly two months of preparation.

During the 10 minutes in which the band was performing a multitude of emotions ran through the bodies of the band.

When you get on the field, it is like a rush of exhilarating energy," said senior Drum Major, Michael Collins. "When you nail it, it's indescribable."

"You're always nervous about how you are going to perform," added junior Drum Major Michele Geeding. "Its amazing when you hit those big moments, it's just so cool."

At 1:30 p.m. the band was brought back to reality when they attended a clinic held by one of the judges.

During this clinic the band was told what they needed to improve on to make their show even better. They were critiqued on everything from musicality to body carriage.

Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. the members were allowed to relax and watch a few of the other bands competing. However in the band only had one thing on their minds ... the finals.

"We're there to show other bands who we are and how good we are and to compete," said Collins.

At 5 p.m. the unknown was reviled, it was announced that the Nevada Tiger Pride Marching Band placed third in their class and most importantly, would be one of the twelve bands to advance to the finals.

There was not much time for celebrating their achievement. It was time to compete again.

At 6:30 p.m., the band took the field once again for their finals performance. On top of all the emotions that race through the member's minds they also have to think about the things that were discussed during their clinic five hours ago.

Ten minutes later the band walked off the field exhausted. The day is not yet over for the band. There are still more bands to perform then there is the announcement of the winners and the bus ride home.

At 9:15 p.m., the Tiger Pride Band assembled with the other eleven finalists on the field to hear the results.

After all of the hard work that has been put in to the performance over the last two months, it was announce that the Nevada Tiger Pride Marching Band placed 12th.

The competition was over. The band packed up their uniforms and instruments, loaded the buses and headed home.

At 11:15 p.m. the band arrived back at Nevada High School.

All that is left of the competition is a memory on which the students can motivate themselves for the next weekend's competition.

The whole process wouldn't be possible without some help from others. The band needs chaperones and ways to feed the kids during the competitions.

"I have a wonderful parent organization that helps me with a lot of the details and help keep me on track," said Meyer.

The trip to Webbstock is only the first of five competitions that the band will attend. The remaining competition schedule is:

* Oct. 4, Valhalla Marching Festival, Parkview High School, Springfield

* Oct. 11, Broken Arrow Marching Festival, Broken Arrow High School

* Oct. 18, Ozarko Marching Festival, MSU, Springfield

* Nov. 1, Mizzou Marching Festival, University of Missouri, Columbia

According to Meyer, many of the first year band parents are amazed at the atmosphere of the competition as well as the level of competition.

"It's a lot of fun, a lot of excitement, a lot of adrenaline. If you've never been, you would be very surprised, shows are so much different from even ten years ago You see kids at their best," said Meyer.