Every year, West High’s marching band goes out onto the home field of the Trojans to perform “Tribute to Troy” and the Trojan Fight Song, in addition to some of the latest hits of the year as well as old-time classics for the halftime show. When the marching band season ends, the band puts on a show known as the Sounds of the Stadium concert, showcasing all of the songs they played that season in addition to old classics the band can never forget, like “Hey Jude.” WSS interviewed some of the band’s players to get their opinions on what their favorite and least favorite songs were, in addition to how they feel about the end of marching band and the beginning of concert band later this year.
On Oct. 18, West High’s Trojan marching band performed the annual Sounds of the Stadium Concert. Featured songs included “Hey Jude” by the Beatles, “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X, “Confident” by Demi Lovato, “Handclap” by Fitz and the Tantrums and “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne.
The performance also marked the end of the marching band season. When asked about their opinions on that fact, Jakari Forrest ’25, a band student, said, “I like concert band songs a lot, but I think marching band is more fun because we’re like as a whole, all together, and it’s really fun. Also, the songs are better, and we’re more inclusive, and we’re moving, and we make super fun shapes.” Anna Pezzarossi ’25 shared similar feelings, saying, “I feel like it just started [and don’t want it to end] because that’s the only time where the entire band can be together.”
‘“Sucker’ is my favorite to play,” said Saundra Griffith ’24. Pezzarossi shared her feelings about the songs, saying, “I really like ‘Bye, Bye, Bye.’ It’s such a cute song. So cute. I love it. The dance is very fun.” Forrest said, “I like ‘Bye Bye Bye’ [and] ‘Industry Baby.’ I like ‘Hey Jude’ ‘cause I get to sing, [playing it is] just kind of boring.” Pezzarossi shared similar sentiments, saying, “I don’t like to play it.”
This event has been going on for multiple years, making students reflect on songs from previous marching band seasons. “I did not like ‘Any Way You Want It,’” Forrest said, “[but], I really liked performing both “School’s Out” and “Paint It Black.”
Eighth graders from Northwest Jr. High also joined the band to play “Proud Mary” by John Fogerty before the other songs played for the halftime show, which were “Butter” by BTS, “Sucker” by the Jonas Brothers and “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC. When asked about the eighth graders joining them in their performance, Pezzarossi said, “It’s a good learning experience, ‘cause then they get to see what band’s all about.” At the end of the show, the seniors in the band were recognized.
