Marble Falls band gets marching orders for ‘Invasion’
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — With more than 100 students, keeping the Marble Falls High School marching band on task would appear to be a daunting challenge.
But drum major Tristan Galban sees it a bit differently.
“Sure, it could be tough, but we have a great group of leaders,” the high school senior said. “And we all work to really keep the band and each other focused.”
With only a few weeks before the band takes the field Aug. 29 during the opening Mustangs football game, band members know they have a lot of work ahead of them. Despite the summer temperatures, the band hits the high school parking lot starting at 8:30 a.m. for several hours of practice Monday through Friday. They started Aug. 4 and will continue daily marching rehearsals up to Aug. 15.
But the band isn’t quite done once the each morning’s rehearsal is complete.
“Then we head inside for another several hours of practice,” band director Brad Behrens said. “They have been working extremely hard. Everybody has — the students, the leaders and the staff. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Once Aug. 15 rolls around and teacher inservice begins, the band will put in four hours a day in the evening. Plus, many do extra work on their own.
The incoming freshmen members and student band leaders began meeting July 31 before the entire group assembled Aug. 4. But Behrens said the students have been working on their music throughout the summer.
“It’s kind of hard to practice marching by yourself though,” he added.
The band is rehearsing a performance routine called “The Invasion.”
“That’s all I’m going to give out right now,” Behrens said about the routine. The band will perform the first part during the Aug. 29 home football game against Burnet. Then, as the season progresses, the band will round out the remaining two parts.
“We have a really talented group of freshmen coming in this year,” Galban said. “I’ve seen a tremendous amount of progress from them and the rest of the band. I’m pretty excited about this year.”
Along with performing during football halftimes, the high school band participates in marching competitions. Each year, the University Interscholastic League alternates which divisions can advance to area and state contests. Because of that, the Marble Falls band can only go as far as the regional marching contest this year.
Still, band members and the staff aren’t kicking back and relaxing. After nine years as a cohesive unit, band directors Behrens, David Langford, Rachel Faehnle and Cristi Reyes have created a supportive, creative team. But they also set high expectations, something that permeates throughout the band.
Galban, a four-year Marble Falls band veteran who started playing in sixth grade, understands those expectations and sets the bar high for himself.
“We all — the band leaders — are really excited about this year,” Galban said. “I have high expectations about what we can do. And I think that’s something everybody in the band shares.”
daniel@thepicayune.com