At Lincoln High School, their long-running and successful band program has been going strong for nearly as long as the school has been around. Their marching band has always been particularly well-received throughout Northern California, their jazz bands are among some of the finest in the state, and their recent additions of field shows have added further color, physical bravado, and life to their marching band season. Yet, for several in the band and for their numerous fans and supporters, the highlight of Lincoln’s band review season is their final show, the review at their very own Lincoln High School.
The Lincoln High Band Review on November 15th was the highlight of the band’s “show” season. The culmination of all their hard work and dedication, coming together in one jam-packed, fun-filled day. Despite it being a highlight of the area, attracting crowds of people and presenting a great opportunity for many musicians and schools from all over California, it’s a band review that, for the many band students and parent volunteers, can best be encompassed by just a few words: “a whole lot of work.”
The Lincolnian interviewed a few senior band students prior to the review about some of their responsibilities in band and in this review, and some aspects of the review that could excite potential visitors.
Meet Ethan Zindel, a four-year band veteran, senior, and trombone player who has been involved with marching band and the band review circuit for as long as he’s been a member of the Lincoln High Band, and even longer than that, having helped out the band since he was only eleven. Speaking about the band in general, he said: “It’s [just] fun. It gives me an outlet for my creativity, I can do whatever I want with my instrument, especially in Jazz. My teacher just lets me do what I do, and when I mess up, she’s waiting there to help me.” (For some context, Ethan is part of Lincoln High’s Jazz A class.) About the band review, his opinion was thus: “The band review is fun because you get the chance to get outside, perform in front of your friends and loved ones, and be with your friends all day. You get to just goof off, and have fun.” Highlighting family-fun, performances by young musicians, and the ability to have a good time with friends on the weekend, the Lincoln Band Review was something truly special for all audiences!
One of the biggest highlights of recent years for the band review season is the addition of field shows. Zindel stated that “Field shows this year have been really fun; I’ve really enjoyed it this year because [I got to] do a solo during the last movement; it’s phenomenal.” Not only is this high praise, but rightfully so, as the band has worked tirelessly on perfecting so many of the moving components, technical bits, choreography, and music that go into this field show, which was presented in its entirety on the band review weekend.
Michael Perez II is a percussionist and senior who’s been involved with the band since the 5th grade. On the topic of the band review, he had this to say: “I’m part of the leadership team, so part of my responsibilities is keeping my section in check while we are getting ready to perform on Saturday; I am also running a drumline booth, that requires me to be there [all day] to manage all the money, and just help out all the new schools that are here.” He further stated that Lincoln band students try to “help out parents who might not know where to go, or any students who are new to help guide them, in order to make this Saturday the best band review in the Valley.” With a claim that bold, it’s almost impossible not to feel some excitement in the air for this upcoming review: yet, it’s a claim that doesn’t seem entirely unfounded, not in the slightest. With all of the prep, the countless hours of work that had gone into this review, it was sure to be something special, undeniably so. In fact, the review was such a success this year that it’s not unfounded to make this claim for future years: anybody who gets the chance to have some food, listen to some music, and see schools from throughout the state of California perform, experiment, and compete against other opposing schools on any of the future Lincoln High reviews, is sure in for one heck of a treat.
