The marching band, known for its rigid military like style, has found a way to loosen up – letting performers cut loose on the field at times – as they strive to make it to the state competition this year.

Dance moves and vocal singing are not things most audience members expect to see during a halftime performance from the band, but they are finding news ways to do just that this year.

Tate Fincher, the head band director for the last two years, said that this new style is his “vision of marching band.”

Now that Fincher has been the head director for the last two years, he has enabled himself to be much more experimental in his approach to designing a half- time show.

Fincher said, the band is now “forward thinking” as opposed to years past. Fincher wanted to have a show “designed to play to [the band’s] strengths and … entertain” the audience. Fincher said that now the band is “keeping pace with marching band today” and will strive to maintain this pace.

With any major changes, there are risks involved. The “risk was the buy-in” to the newness of the show, Fincher said. However, Fincher and the entire band believes that the risk is worth it if they can start a new season of success.

Along with the new choreography, new staff has joined the Akins band. Jesse Arbolay, the new dance in- structor, said, the choreography “adds visual interest” and brings out the vision of the show.

Although Arbolay said that the band needs “a higher skill set being put onto the field” he believes that this year the band is stepping up to the challenge.

Arbolay also believes that while the guard program is growing, for this show to reach it’s full potential they “are still accepting guard” and want anyone who is willing to join.

There are many people with different opinions on this new choreography. Most of the band agrees that it is a positive addition to the show, and will help engage the audience.

Senior Samantha Madson, said that there has been no dance choreography in past shows, so this change is fairly major.

Because of the very little choreography in the past, there has been some struggles learning and perfecting it but Madson said it is worth the effort because “it adds different aspects to our show to make it interesting.”

“When an audience see the band’s choreography, they cheer so loudly and it pumps the band up to keep going,” drum major Luis Bosquez said.
This audience interaction is something that has not been a part of the Akins band for the past few years. Bosquez also said, it helps the band push “their show to the highest of their ability.”

“It’s a fun way for the band to interact with the crowd and get an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, knowing that they’ve captured their audience’s attention,” Bosquez said.

With the various number of changes, the band hopes for a more successful year this marching season with the different styles of choreography.
For more information on the band, dates, and times and locations of events you can visit www.akinseagleband.org.