Photo by Brian Lasko

Marching Bengals are preparing for the JMU Parade of Champions.

FVHS’s Marching Bengals won third place in Category 3A out of eight other bands in Virginia on Oct. 5. This was the 46th annual JMU Parade of Champions. People voted on bands and decided which performance was their favorite. The Marching Bengals are celebrating their success along with getting prepared for hosting the Festival of the Bands. 

Freshman Bryce Lasko, who plays percussion, explained that awards show what the band has done and how they have grown. These contests show the progress and hard work the band has made. 

Lasko said to win more awards they just have to “try harder and harder and harder.” He believes in the Marching Bengals and believes they can only get better. 

Lasko enjoys the feeling of competition. He is excited to see the other band’s performances at the Festival of the Bands. 

Band teacher Matthew Edwards said, “Marching band competitions are different from football games or a tennis match … We don’t really have an expectation of winning or losing. So we just present the best that we have, then we let the judges sort things out from there.” Edwards says that band helps students and gives students leadership opportunities along with being active. Band members learn how to move around and dance while playing an instrument that can be pretty heavy. 

Edwards is looking forward to hosting the Festival of Bands. 

“It’s really our showcase and in our house. We get to be in front of a big crowd and we really enjoy that,” said Edwards.

Edwards explains that the audience loves to watch these shows because of the variety of music and people. 

“There’s just a lot of different musical and visual things going on so it’s cool for the audience,” said Edwards.  

The students enjoy the competition, and Edwards believes the Marching Bengals can only get better. 

Edwards said, “One of our band mottos is everytime better than the last time. So as long as we’re going upwards, we’re showing improvement. That’s the main thing.” 

Junior Caroline Dinuzzio plays trumpet. She says that these competitions help boost confidence in the band. She enjoys the band because it’s a close group of people and she has a lot of friends.

Dinuzzio said she’s proud of the Marching Bengals and is ready to “create and present a show.”

The Festival of Bands hosted by FVHS will be Oct. 19. There are currently 18 bands competing including schools from Wake County, Johnston County, Wight County, Randolph County, and Onslow County.