For the first time in two years, the indoor color guard and drumline were able to compete in live competitions.
The groups have not competed in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The indoor groups went to Wildwood from April 28 – May 1.
“It’s basically four straight days of just competing,” senior Miranda Razzi said. “Every hotel around [the convention center] is hosting indoor groups.” Razzi describes this as an “awesome environment.”
According to drumline assistant director Lisa Platow, the drumline finished in sixth place at finals. This season’s show was still a “crowd favorite,” however. Drumline members said to have been praised for their performance by the audience.
Color guard director Heather Fisher notes that the color guard worked very hard on this show, landing ninth place in finals.
This was the first time that the group has made finals in seven years.
Both groups performed in competitions to get to finals. First, they performed in prelims. Then, for the color guard, they moved up to semi-finals and then finals. Drumline went straight to finals.
“So, [the color guard had] to perform three times and we only [had] to perform twice,” senior drumline member Andrew Febus said.
According to Febus, the finals were “the actual championship.”
Members in the indoor groups were excited about competing again.
Senior Kelley Zarzycki, who joined guard her sophomore year, only performed a few times prior to this year, due to Covid.
“It’s really exciting to actually be able to experience [a normal season,]” Zarzycki said.
For Febus, the competitive aspect of drumline is a large reason why he does it.
He said that the competitions help to show progress, showing the members of drumline what they have improved on.
“I’m just trying to strive to be better and [strive] for a good performance,” Febus said.
Razzi is the only senior in color guard who has been to Wildwood before. Since she was in drumline her freshman year, she was excited to go and compete with the color guard.
“Indoor’s been a lot of fun. I really love the groups and I’m excited to finish it out,” Razzi said.
The season has gone well for both of the indoor groups. According to Febus, the drumline has scored first place in many of their performances throughout the season.
According to Zarzycki, everyone has had really good attitudes and work ethic.
“No matter what place or what score we [got],” Zarzycki said, “we all [enjoyed] the season.”
Razzi describes the season as “rewarding.” Both groups were awarded medals for their Reigon II Championships, which were held at Parkland High School, the weekend before Wildwood.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the indoor groups competitive season was cut short during the 2019-2022 school year.
Last year, the indoor groups did not compete at all.
“It was really upsetting, because the show was really meaningful,” Zarzycki said.