The Chandler High Schoolmarchingband,The Pride of Chandler, pushed through monsoon-like rains on Oct. 14, bringing home a coveted I from the OSSAA Marching Band Regionals in McAlester.
“It was a difficult day for sure, but the kids did well.They were able to stay focused and have a good run in there,” said Director Zach Fisher.
When the band first arrived, he said it was “monsooning.” Due to the rain and lightning, the competition was delayed by about two and a half hours, leaving the students to wait it out on the bus. The band was given a few options -- they could wait it out, return to the same site the following week to make up the competition or choose to compete at another Regionals.
Fisher said they decided to wait it out.
Earning a I, or Superior, sets up the band for a possible sweepstakes award. Fisher said if they earn another I at Districts to qualify for State and then Is on stage and in sight reading at State, they will bring it home again. This would be fourth Sweepstakes award the band has gotten in the last five years.
“We shall see. I would love for that to happen. That would be fun, but I… preach to my kids all the time about… we’re not trying to do this to win things,” he said. “It is fun to win things, but it’s not the reason that we do this, although, at the same time, it is a worthy goal to strive for, for sure.”
He added that he’d rather the band be known as one of the hardest-working and for the work they put in.
With marching season over, Fisher said he’s very pleased with how it went. At the start of the year, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but the students really turned it on.
“In terms of, like, accolades and things like that, it is the most successful season that the program has ever had. A second place finish at a contest and two caption awards and a fourth place finish at a contest and tied for our all-time best finish at OBA,” he said. “I just am really proud… the growth has been crazy.”
He said that he’s enjoyed watching the band grow not only musically, but as people, as well as build their work ethic and ability to commit to doing something hard. He’s also excited to see how concert season goes.
Chandler wasn’t the only band that competed last week.OnOct.13attheOSSAA Northeast Regionals inOolagah,theStroudHigh School and Meeker High School marching bands competed. Stroud earned a II and Meeker earned at IV. At McAlester, Prague High School also competed, earning a II.
North Rock Creek High School competes at Regionals this week.