As the football team runs into the locker room at halftime, the Tiger Marching Band rushes all their equipment out on the field. For 8 minutes the crowd watches, as 250+ high school students make music and visual magic happen. This past weekend, they took their talents to Orlando to compete in the Bands of America Orlando Regional competition.
Since June, the Tiger Marching Band has been practicing weekly, sometimes as much as four times a week. Led by director Chad Kohler, this is not the first time they’ve gone someplace else in the United States to show off their talents. In 2023, they went to New York City and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The goal to be the best remains the same, even in an environment they aren’t used to.
“I don’t think I will feel too different walking onto the Orlando stage than I do walking into Lucas Oil Stadium,” said senior Nathan Graham, a percussion player. “I’ve been doing this long enough to understand that even though our environment might change, our job remains the same.”
This year, the show is titled ‘Grin and Bear it’. Between the 24 massive bears they use for their set and an electric violin solo, there are a lot of moving pieces in the performance. It helped them place 2nd in both Columbus at the Bands of America Central Ohio Regional, and the Brownsburg Invitational.
“Mr. Kohler keeps reminding us not to change anything while performing,” said freshman Boston Sample, a percussion player. “It’s a set that we’re all confident in and super excited to perform.”
Everyone in the band understands the amount of work they’ve put into this performance, and the pressure that comes with that.
“There is some pressure when it comes to competing at a national level,” said sophomore percussion player Claire Emerson. “You realize that everyone will be able to watch you and that can be a little nerve wracking sometimes. But as long as you go out there and give it your all, that is all that you can do.”
Students in the marching band also have a reputation to back up being affiliated with the Tiger Marching Band.
“Something we talk a lot about at band is how Fishers has a reputation in the marching band community, and that comes with a lot of pressure,” Graham said. “However, I think it’s only ever been a healthy pressure that pushes us to make our show as good as possible.”
The students not only are in Florida to perform and compete. They also had the opportunity of going to both Universal and Disney when they’re in Orlando.
“I’m super excited to spend time with my friends at Disney, too,” Emerson said. “Being able to be down there with the people I love is something I’m really looking forward to.”
The Tigers performed at the competition on Saturday, Oct. 18, placing 2nd.
