Bands that play together stay together

Ozona—After weeks of practice and a successful showing by the Ozona High School band at UIL competition, band students took the stage once again. The Ozona High School band and eighth grade band performed in the OHS auditorium on April 28. 

Finding harmony through teamwork

For many students, the most rewarding part of band is the sense of connection and collaboration.

“What I enjoy most about playing with other people is the fact that I know all of them. All of them are my friends, and we have a good time,” freshman Sammy Martinez said. 

Martinez said the band spent nearly two months preparing the pieces performed at competition.

Sophomore Olivia Leverett said one of her favorite aspects of band is hearing how each instrument contributes to the overall sound.

“I like hearing how all the pieces fit in together doing solos,” Leverett said. “Hearing the way the saxophone, all the flute players, all the instruments fit together, I think that's what makes everything click.”

She added that maintaining tempo, something the band struggled with, improved significantly.

“I feel like when we went to competition, we all stayed on tempo and we did really good,” she said. 

Senior Mareli Rodriguez said the variety of musical styles and parts stood out most to her.

“[My favorite part is] working together and memorizing the marching and all the steps,” she said.

Pride in growth and achievement

Students said they are proud of individual accomplishments and the collective progress of the band.

“I'm most proud that I'm able to play two instruments,” Martinez said. “I play the trombone and the baritone.”

Leverett had success in regional and UIL competition.

“I'm most proud about doing region band and placing pretty high, especially for it being my first year as a high schooler and getting a one on my solo,” she said. 

Rodriguez pointed to the friendships formed through shared effort.

“We became friends and worked together through all the hard parts,” she said. 

The challenge behind the music

While performances may appear effortless, students say the reality of band requires significant time and dedication.

“The thing that most people wouldn't expect from being in band is the amount of time and dedication that it takes,” Martinez said. “During marching season, during football, you're out there every day marching, making sure you get everything right, and playing your music.”

Rodriguez added that memorizing music remains one of the toughest aspects.

“Probably memorizing the music is the hardest part,” she said.