Rhythmic Reflection: A Marching Band Recap By Travis Wetzel While the football team was 2-8, the other performers on the field, the Lenoir City High School Marching Band, were killing it. This marching season the band performed their 2025 show “Night Fever” at all football games and three different marching competitions. The band has seen consistent improvement over their multiple performances and time spent practicing. When talking with Band Director Zachary Slimp, he pointed out the obvious improvement in the younger groups but was surprised with the progress among a different group. “This year I think one of the things I want to highlight is the sophomore group, some of the juniors as well, a lot of the time you see the most improvement in freshmen because they go from knowing nothing to knowing like a normal amount. But the sophomores and juniors this year have really upped the ante, and they've gone from playing regular sophomore, junior level stuff, and pushed the envelope” Slimp said. Like most social entities, the band feeds off of positivity and Mr. Slimp’s encouragement is reflected in the band’s performance. The school's marching band attended 3 different competitions this season and placed well at each of them. Being in a different and bigger band category, the band was encouraged to do their best, even if not achieving all they did in the previous season. Despite these difficulties, the marching band received high praise from judges and directors alike. At the Clinch River Classic and the Volunteer Classic at Clinton High School and Heritage High School, the band received third or fourth place and then second place, at their respective competitions. Their final event at the Alcoa High School Marching Competition went standard for the new kids on the block of 4A, where the band landed third out of fourth and received second place percussion. Even still, the band performed above the curve and did so by giving and receiving praise and positivity. Even still there are students who take it upon themselves to encourage others, one such being Joshua Niermann (10). “Well, I am known as the trombone section hype leader, so I make sure to hype up our section before competitions or games and let them know that even if they mess up, everything's fine. It's just a mistake and you recover from those either way” Niermann said. Niermann is one of those aforementioned sophomores who showed a lot of improvement this year. In himself, he saw progress in musical aspects such as articulations and tone but also in his marching technique. Niermann’s efforts were also exhibited in our band's friendly competitions called drilldowns where he made it to the last 5-7 people. The “hype” that Josh brings to the trombone section extends far beyond just that group of 8, spreading throughout the band and making everyone’s band experience a fun time. “[My favorite part of marching band was] probably whenever me and Kat are just being goofballs whenever they get the chance and like me, Spencer, Josh, Zach, you know, just them goofing around.” James Grubb (9) said. Being a freshman, Grubb was encouraged to finish his first marching season by Niermann and Slimp, and was able to recognize his own improvement. As individuals, the band does great, but when you combine their total group skill, they become spectacular.