Marching band has always been questioned if it’s a sport; well the Tuscarora Marching Huskies have confirmed it is indeed a sport. The last few days of October, the 23rd – 31st, the Tuscarora marching band has had quite the schedule. 9 straight days of rehearsals, performances, and a spectacular parade finished off the booked month of Bandtober.
Stress may be quite exhilarating and healthy, but the stress of performing is a whole other level of a dopamine rush. On October 28th, inside the Liberty University campus, 34 of Virginia’s best high school marching bands appeared, ranging from Ashburn’s Independence High School to Virginia Beach’s Princess Anne High School. The event opened with an exhibition performance of the national anthem from the Liberty Marching Band. The competition launched with the class 3A division, featuring Millbrook High School, South County High School, Ocean Lakes High School, Franklin County High School, Riverside High School, South Lakes High School, Clover Hill High School, and Fairfax High School. During these groundbreaking performances, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies were running through drill routines in an empty parking lot. After two hours of warming up, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies took the Liberty Field in exhibition.
After a groundbreaking performance, the audience went ballistic. The Marching Huskies patiently waited for the next 6 hours in the stadium stands, watching other Loudoun schools until awards.
To extend their Friday night entertainment and Saturday morning events, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies performed in the Leesburg Halloween parade, the longest-running consecutive Halloween parade in the United States. The 32-person band marched in a variety of costumes ranging from a ketchup bottle to the television hosts Dr. Phil and Steve Harvey. Throughout the hour-long parade and mile-long route, the Tuscarora marching band performed percussion cadences from their music that will be used in this year’s Pearl Harbor parade in Hawaii, and the Rolling Stones song “Paint it Black.” The Kiwani Halloween parade attracted residents from all across Loudoun County who screamed for the Tuscarora Marching Huskies.
This was the second to last performance of the 2023 marching season for the Tuscarora marchers. This week, they arepreparing for the home football game, and their senior night. November 4th, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies will be celebrating and saying goodbye to their seniors: Sarah Bensel, Chris Claudio, Liam McCormick, and Patrick George.
All four seniors have left a mark this past season. We all wish them well in their endeavors and thank them for their lovely contributions to the Tuscarora Marching Huskies.
Through blood, sweat, tears, and lots of injuries and instrument mishaps, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies have had one of their most impressive seasons in the past few years, achieving a superior rating at their VBODA assessment and progressing towards a Virginia Honor Band 2023-2024 title. Along with a placement of first at every competition, including Herndon Showcase of Bands, Woodgrove Classic, Shenandoah Valley Marching Invitational, and the highest score within their division at the VMBC Championships. Due to their placement and high score in the preliminary round at the VMBC Championships, the Tuscarora Marching Huskies have been named the 2023 division 1A State Champions, marking the second consecutive year in a row that they earned the prestigious title.
Furthermore, there has been a perpetual growth of the Tuscarora Marching Band from 15 to 32 people, joined by returning alumni staff members Carolyne Berg, Jayden Bruce, and Renee Fluet. This has helped revitalize the marching legacy within Tuscarora. Tuscarora Marching Band, first under the direction of Katie Newmiller, put on groundbreaking shows and left an impact on the Tuscarora community in the past. Now, led by Mckenzie Durgin and furthering the legacy created 13 years ago, they continue to put on groundbreaking performances, fueling the impact previously left on the Tuscarora community.
As the marching band continues to grow, they continue to work year-round to perform excellent shows, and welcome new members to join the legacy. As the Marching Huskies proudly end their season, Tuscarora wishes them the best of luck for all future success within their upcoming seasons.
