LNA Wins TAPPS Fall Band Competition

The Lutheran North Academy band has won multiple competitions over the past years, but this October they came home champions, winning 1st in the Fall Band TAPPS competition in Waco.

Zach Brumbaugh, the band director, said “A marching show takes a ton of preparation and hard work, and in order to have a successful program you have to put in a great deal of time.” He added that having everyone practice and work in order to perform great is key. Brumbaugh also prepares his students by making them feel confident by giving them candy and a small token that represents the show theme.

When the competition is drawing near, in order to make sure the show is ready as much as possible, the band starts performing little pieces of the routine they will perform at the football games. They also might add a few last-minute touches, like some visual choreography or small props to make the show even better. 

“Being the head drum major, I have to make sure my band is in order and that everyone is calm and collected and that we have everything and that we are all having fun,” Sophia Rodríguez, the band’s drum major said. She continued, that the most important thing when getting ready to perform is making sure you have everything and that you’re having fun. Performing at the football games really does get everyone’s minds calm and the nerves out. Rodríguez added, “We will have some pep talks, watch our videos from the past to learn from what we've done well and what we've not done so well, and I'll try to help the students feel confident and prepared in what they're doing.”

This year, there are talented new students in the band that have made it stronger. Ethan Maldonado, a new band member says that being a part of LNA and the performance band has been a really good experience for him and everyone else who is coming from different schools. He said, “It’s like family, We all look out for each other.”