UNA marching extravaganza includes seven RBHS students
Pictured left to right are Madison Fierro, Ethan Ray, Mattee Berry, Maggie Bates, Anna Jackson, Savannah Bates and Taylor Brown, participants in the University of North Alabama marching extravaganza.
By Brandi Miller For the FCT
Anyone who has been to a Red Bay High School football game or pep rally will agree the band is sounding awesome. The RBHS band, under new direction of Jonathan Hill, is sounding better and better each week and has been doing a tremendous job of helping to pump up spirit at football games and pep rallies. Sept. 12, seven members of the RBHS marching band were able to add marching in the University of North Alabama marching extravaganza to their resumes. Anna Jackson, Ethan Ray, Madison Fierro, Taylor Brown, Maggie Bates, Savannah Bates and Mattee Berry all attended the UNA marching extravaganza held on the campus of UNA. “The marching extravaganza is an amazing learning experience,” said Jackson. “The music was extremely fun, and nothing compares to the feeling you get when you play that first note with such a large band on the field.” Maggie Bates echoed Jackson’s thoughts, “I loved the music and just being able to do this with my friends.” To be selected to participate in the marching extravaganza, the band members were required to submit an application by a certain deadline, and then they would find out if they were selected to participate. “It was a long day,” said Ray. “The sun was in our eyes, and it was sort of hot. We stayed there all day to practice. The game started at 6 p.m., and we were able to perform with everyone else and the band at halftime.” “We learned three routines and two dances in a few hours,” said Brown, who participated as a color guard. “We had time to practice and perfect the performance before getting to perform.” Berry said her day was great, but from 4:30 p.m. until halftime she was definitely nervous. “This was the best experience I’ve ever had (with) band stuff,” said Berry. Fierro, a majorette with the RBHS band, had nothing but great things to say about the entire experience but also had a comical moment that she will always remember. “During the halftime performance, I grabbed the wrong end of my baton, and it slipped out of my hand and hit a girl about a yard line away from me,” said Fierro with a smile. “The extravaganza was a great experience, getting to learn new things and make new friends.” Savannah Bates voiced all the members’ sentiments when she said, “I want to thank Mr. Hill for this experience.” Along with Hill, the members thanked their parents, Melanie Belue and Stacey Jackson, color guard sponsors, and the various coaches they have had along the way to get them where they are today.
