Band marches to San Antonio

Expectations and emotions are riding high as the Pride of Wolf Country CHS Marching Band competes in the state UIL Class 2A marching band competition Monday, November 2 at 2:27 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The band, under the direction of Darin Johns, will compete in the Alamodome in San Antonio Monday against 17 other bands.

It is a dream that’s been a quarter of a century in the making.

The last time the CHS band competed at the state level was in the fall of 1982.

Chris McKinney and Sheila Montalvo were seniors, class of ‘83. Now their children are seniors headed to the same state competition.

“There were 22 bands that year, in the Class 3A division.  We had 120 plus in our band. It was an emotional time,” said McKinney.  “We marched in the Dale K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin. Personally, growing up a Longhorn fan and walking up the tunnel and on the field where Earl Campbell played, it was the highlight of the trip.  Getting to play on the field where people who were my idols played, was a pretty cool moment.”

“We placed 7th,” said Montalvo.  “Going to state competition and playing at the state capital were pretty neat memories.” She recalled that everything the band did that year was at the capital.  “We played in the rotunda our freshman year. It was a very neat feeling,” she said.

It was also a very different type of band.
“We were a military band,” said McKinney.
“The marching and music styles were very different,” said Montalvo.  “Even the uniforms were different. Meagan (Sheila's daughter) saw the pictures and asked, ‘you wore that?’”

Both former band members recall the suicide drills where the band maintained formation from the 30 yard line to the 30 yard line and from sideline to sideline, before breaking into two smaller circles.
“It was very hard to do,” said Montalvo.  “And we did a different show every week.”

While even the cadence and step formations were different, some things never change, including the Monday night and early morning practices.

“Meagan is a much better musician than I ever was,” said her mom.  “She’s a brassman and I was woodwind.”

“I only played drums,” said McKinney.  “Christian plays tuba, trombone and baritone, several things. He’s more musically inclined than I am.  I’m proud of him.  He plays football, comes home beat and says he’s got to go to band.  He puts just as much effort into band as he does football. For them (the band) to put forth the effort to reach this accomplishment, they’re much tougher than us.”

“Ever since my freshman year, my goal was to make it to state,” said Meagan Montalvo. “Being a drum major, being up on that platform, it’s an incredible feeling being on the podium and leading a band as good as we are.  It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

“It’s the same for me,” said Christian. “I used to watch the football players and the band march.  I thought football and band went hand in hand. I enjoy doing both of them.  It (advancing) came as big surprise. Our band’s been in a slump.”

“When I started marching, I had a sister looking over my shoulder, making sure I got everything right. It really paid off,” Christian said.

As the week progresses and competition gets closer, nervousness and tension are certain to escalate.

“The pivotal moment will be the moment we hit that first note in the opening song,” said Meagan. “That’s going to make or break us.  My biggest fear is that we’ll get there, step on the field in that big ole stadium and we’ll freak and fall apart.”

“My worst fear is screwing up personally,” said Christian. “There’s a lot of people making sure I’m doing it right and doing it the best I can.  The biggest moment will be not the beginning, but the end when it seems to hit you. You look back on all the different contests and all the games we’ve been through to get here.”

Band director Darin Johns has two words about the upcoming competition on October 26-27.
“Awesome and intense.  They are pumped up.  The energey level is as high as it’s ever been,” he said.
“Ninety-nine percent of the work’s already been done,” said Johns, who is only adding an extra 10 minutes to the regular daily practice. “The students wanted to come in early, but I told them, ‘what we’re doing is working. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”

“I’m super proud. They’ve worked hard all year. It’s nice they’re getting rewarded for their efforts,” Johns said.  “We’re in the top 18 2A bands in the state. There are 212 other bands who are staying home and wishing they were where we are. I couldn’t ask for more."

Johns said there was plenty of stress in simply preparing the logistics of the trip, but he was confident the kids would do their best. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “There’s no lose. It’s win or win better.”