The Lakewood Ranger Marching Band’s biggest concert has finally arrived, and everyone is on the edge of their seats. The band played numerous songs throughout the concert while the auxiliary—flags and Rangerettes—switched back and forth performing during each song. The band performed three shows: ABBA (featuring Dancing Queen, ABBA Medley, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!), Taylor Swift (Anti-Hero, I Knew You Were Trouble, and …Ready for It?), and the Senior Show (Imperial March/Party in the USA, Livin’ La Vida Loca, and Mr. Blue Sky). With the season coming to an abrupt halt, it’s important to celebrate all the work the band has put in.
“And, you know, I just think it’s great just to look back on as the culmination of all the hard work that has been put in,” senior field commander Joey Gregg said.
The end-of-season concert is an annual tradition for the marching band, where they perform every piece of music they learned throughout the five-month season. It is a celebration of each member’s hard work and dedication, all in one free show for the community.
“Legitimately, they have learned more music since the beginning of band camp than most ensembles learned in an entire school year,” assistant band director Dan Tomazin said. “And that is something to be celebrated.” What more could you ask from a group of dedicated band members?
Even though this concert marked the end of a chapter for many seniors, the memories made throughout the season won’t be forgotten. The band community will hold on to the close friendships and memorable experiences of the season, perhaps for a lifetime. “I’ve had a great experience,” Gregg said. “I love conducting and like interacting with the band in a way I wasn’t able to before.”
“And it’s almost been, I’ve been having an experience that feels too good to be true, and it’s still not really fully set in until you realize it’s gone,” senior field commander Sophia Lipowski said.
Even amidst the pressure of a big concert, band members still had fun preparing by dressing up in Halloween costumes, adding a unique element to the event. On October 22, the band had its civic rehearsal, where members dressed in costumes while performing. After practice, new members were treated to a “trunk-or-treat” (organized by the veteran members of the band) in the back parking lot, a tradition that surprises new members each year.
“This group is really just a bunch of like, band dorks,” assistant band director Tomazin said. “I genuinely love the vibe of this group of people. It feels like we can do fun, silly things, and no one thinks they’re too cool for it.”
That being said, joining the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band and being part of the biggest concert may be your calling or your place, even if you aren’t familiar with the band.
“So, you know, if you aren’t familiar, you should check it out,” field commander Gregg said. “And if you’re a musician, you should consider joining because it’s never too late, and it’s a great experience. You don’t want to regret not being a part of that.”
Although the 2024-2025 season ended with the civic concert, there is still time to get involved in the marching band for next season. It’s never too late to find a community or discover something you love, and that something could be marching band.
“Find that thing that makes you like every morning you wake up, feel like you have a purpose, and you’re happy to be alive,” Lipowski said. Who knows? Maybe the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band is your “thing.”
