Music. It swallows the room, drowning each individual in blaring shrieks of sound. Notes escape from different instruments and blend together to create a tsunami of melodies. Once, the hall and those melodies felt foreign, but now feel like home for the group of people beginning their final trek as a part of the program.

In 2019, the band program was in its third year of producing shows. Now, those freshmen are in the midst of their senior year. As they compete for the last time, they reflect on the seasons behind them.

“I remember being here in the band in its early years before it even had a first class graduate,” Gabriel Luck, senior saxophonist said. “So it’s kind of unreal that now I’m here ready to graduate.”

Three years passed in a blink for the band members. During Luck’s first year, the band produced the show, “Be Someone”. The production contained themes of individuality and conformity, with the color guard twirling different colored umbrellas as a soloist ran through the band and guard. At the end of the show, the soloist eventually accepted her own unique color.

“That [show] was a whole experience,” Eliza Oberle, senior color guard member, said. “I’ll always remember performing for the first time. It’s such a surreal experience getting in front of a large crowd of people truly there to watch you.”

It was that wonder that prompted Oberle to continue participating in the program despite entering a new world of marching band with the arrival of COVID-19. With it came the unseen challenge of attempting to learn a show while maintaining as much distance as possible between students and wearing masks. However, despite this that same year, the band qualified for the State of Texas Marching Band Competition with the show “Geometry of Red”.

“Performing “Geometry of Red” at state was a thrilling experience,” senior drum major Bailey Hughes said, “When you’re in the Alamodome, the experience is enhanced; everywhere you look you saw fans supporting you. It was such a positive experience to be cheered on by so many people who had never even heard of our school before.”

The band placed 15th in state, an unprecedented accomplishment for the young program. However the streak continued the following year when the band once again qualified for state and placed 26th with the show “Project Number 5”. During the show, Luck played part of George Micheal’s “Careless Whisper” as a solo. Although he was initially anxious, Luck says that playing his solo at state was a moment he’ll never forget.

“As it started, it was quite nerve wrecking,” Luck said. “As time got on it was easier because I got better, and especially near the end at state and area it was exhilarating. It was amazing hearing all of these people clapping.”

Luck’s solo performance was not only incredibly memorable for him on field, but off of the field as well.

“It was either the day after or the week after I earned my solo, when I was in the gym, people started to cheer my name and hauled me up and started walking me out the door,” Luck said. “So that was pretty fun. I was a bit concerned, but that was fun.”

This opportunity for students to make memories, gain experiences and grow their character is present regardless of what their instrument or position may be. Whether a student is a saxophone or a clarinet, a freshman or a junior, they perform on the field side by side all the same. This offers a unique chance for students every day in the program stretching from their first day of freshman band camp to their last performance of senior year.

“An example of how the band has made me who I am is the amount of hard work I’ve put in that I didn’t even know I was capable of,” Hughes said. “Especially this year being the only returner, I had unspoken expectations of myself to lead, take charge and know what I was doing. This taught me it’s not about talent, luck or achievement but it’s about the amount of work you put in to reach the personal gain of making it out the other side stronger.”

Though each year is its own unique journey, it’s through long practices and competition days that the band obtains experiences that shape them into the people they are today. Not only the long days themselves, but the people who members spend so much learning and spending time with.

“I wouldn’t say it’s more so band, but rather the people in band,” Luck said. “Because honestly in band you get to choose a lot of good people to be around. It’s pushed me to get better.”

With so many hours of sweat and tears behind them, the band got their first taste of the 2022 competition season on Sept. 24 when the band competed in the Bands of America Conroe Regional Competition. For the first time in the program’s history, the band qualified for BOA finals, placing second in their class and third overall.

“The feeling I had making third at BOA was mind blowing. I felt so honored to be a part of the Bridgeland Band’s first ever finals performance,” Hughes said. “While it isn’t about the place we receive, it was a good reward for all the hard work the band has been putting in the last couple months.”

The senior band members have dedicated their entire high school career to the program. The experiences and milestones the members have accomplished together through band affect them regardless of the year or the show performed, and will continue to affect them moving forward.

“I want to be proud of what I do,” Luck said. “If I could relive my life a 100 times, I’d choose to be in band in each one.”