On Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, the Sahuaro High School Marching Band went to Palo Verde for the TUSD Marching Band Expedition. The goal of this annual exhibition is to show the TUSD middle schoolers the benefits of being in high school marching bands and to celebrate the talent found in TUSD’s Music Programs.
The order of performances went from smallest to largest band, just like how the Arizona Marching Band Association orders their performances, meaning the first band to perform was the evening’s hosts, Palo Verde Magnet High School. Their show, Wink, was conducted by drum majors Ryder Meinhardt and Ash Weisbrod and directed by Vanessa Eastman.
Our very own Sahuaro Cougar Marching Band went on directly after Palo Verde to perform our 2024 show: Queen, conducted by drum major, and fellow Paper Cut Editor, Mia Payette and directed by the newest addition to our Fine Arts Department, Juan Guzman.
Madi Jordan, the most recent person to join our brand new color guard program, said, “After we performed at the exhibition I thought, as a band, that was the best we’ve ever performed and best I have ever done personally. I was very pumped up before we performed, so it put me in the mindset of doing well.”
Up next was the Cholla Charger Marching Band performing their show What’s in Your Walkman, conducted by drum major Angel Flores-Cortina and directed by Richard Rubin. What’s in Your Walkman is an 80’s themed, upbeat show with musical sets that just make you want to dance.
Following Cholla, the Pride of the Old Pueblo Warrior Marching Band took the field with their show, Fire and Ice!, conducted by drum majors Jazmine Amaya Gaxiola and Aleni Velarde, and directed by Thanasit Pimnipapatrakul.
Breaking into the only 2A division band, the Sabino High School Marching Band serenaded us with their show Mercury Rising, conducted by drum majors Eil Wallenmeyer and Mason Rustand, and directed by Jack Taylor.
Next up, entering the 3A division, the Tucson High Magnet High School Marching Band performed their show, conducted by drum majors Jesennia Yafei and Alejandro Torres and directed by Morani Sanders and Evan Norwood.
Moving on to the last but second biggest band in the Arizona Marching Band Association, Rincon University High School Marching Band performed their show, Off the Rails. Drum majors Brenna Shupe, Keely Starks, Daniel Provenzano, and Julian Osuna conducted the band, which was directed by Jeff Marchant and Dan Philips.
After all of the bands had finished their performances, everyone gathered on the field to perform America the Beautiful as one big TUSD family. Some high schools may have rivals and friends, but all of the bands have a special friendship with each other and will forever celebrate each other’s performance and meet each other at this special event.
