“Into the Aviary”, a marching band show featuring ideas of caged birds escaping, has been the band’s focus for the last six months. On Oct. 25, the band participated in the UIL Area Competition, placing 11th and missing finals by one spot. 

As their season comes to an end, seniors reminisce on their final season. 

“I think everything went well. I think it was the best we could’ve done in the moment and I was confident that we were going to make it to finals,” senior Abraham Oviedo said. “I still don’t know how I feel after not making it, it’s not easy to embrace it in my senior year, but I had this big flow of memories when I found out.”

The show, as described by senior Joseph Keo, a trombone soloist this year, was a culmination of many birds’ escapes.

“The band definitely did have a shooting chance at finals, but there were a few timing issues that I think kept us out of the loop,” Keo said. 

When the season came to an end, members of the band reminisced over the past two years of not getting a finals performance, something none of them expected.

“It sucks, not experiencing finals for the second year in a row,” sophomore Elijah Eldridge said. “I want to experience it, but part of me is also glad the season came to an end, even if it wasn’t the way I wanted it to.”

Brass Captain and senior, Carter Johnston, was not as surprised that the band didn’t make finals. 

“It’s a transition year, so I wasn’t too surprised with the fact we didn’t make it,” Johnston said. “Everyone is a freshman with the technique.”

Even though the band faced new challenges with director changes, show mishaps and long practices, improvement in the program was clear. 

“I’m really proud of everyone,” Johnston said. “I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”