The West High Falcon Marching Band is finishing up their marching season within the next week. After practicing and performing for audiences since August, the band will be playing three more performances of this year’s marching show, Wicked. The band’s rendition of the popular Broadway show consists of parts from the songs “No One Mourns the Wicked”, “Dancing Through Life”, “Defying Gravity”, “For Good”, and “No Good Deed”.

In the span of one week, the band will perform three times. They play at the last home football game, state marching contest, and the Band Spectacular. After those three performances, the band will hang up their marching jackets and bibs until November, when they perform in the Veteran’s Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 10 and Festival of Trees Parade on Saturday, Nov. 18. The performances this week will mark the last time that the band plays music from Wicked.

“Finishing up the season is really bittersweet because it takes a lot of time and effort to get the music and marching all down. It’s pretty sad, since you know you’ll never play that show again. But at the same time, it’s gratifying. You know that you’ve put all this effort in and accomplished something,” West band director Mark Kretschmer said.

For the seniors in the band, these performances mark the last time that they will hit the football field as a member of the West High Band. Senior Trenton Smith shared his feelings about the end of the season.

“It’s really bittersweet; I’ll miss the memories, but you have to move on at some point” Smith said.

Drum major and senior Molly Kretschmer also felt upset about only have a few marching band performances left.

“It makes me really sad, but I’m glad about not having to get up early in the morning for practice,” Kretschmer added.

However, senior Allison Cheatham had a more positive outlook on the end of the season.

“I’m kind of happy about marching season being over, since it makes me tired. I’m still upset though, because it’s my favorite part of band,” Cheatham stated.

However, some students are relieved about the season coming to an end, with junior Isaac Gray falling into that category.

“Marching season can make me a little stressed with everything seeming to happen all at once,” Gray said

Despite the stress and sweat that comes with marching band, many students are upset about it ending.

“The band is like a family environment; it’s fun being with them. I’ll miss marching season,” Gray stated.

The band’s performances will take place throughout the week, with the last football performance on Thursday, Oct. 12, State Marching Contest on Saturday, Oct. 14, and Band Spectacular on Monday, Oct. 16.