WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – The beat of Wichita Falls is going global as both Legacy and Memorial High School bands are gearing up to perform in the 40th London New Year’s Day Parade.
Those who are a part of the band said they are ‘bass’-ically excited
In about 100 days, the Legacy Leopards and the Memorial Mavericks will not only represent Texas but also represent Wichita Falls.
With both entireties of bands going to London, at the very least, they are amped up.
The arrangement of sound from two high school bands will soon come together in London at the 40th New Year’s Day Parade.
“550 million people worldwide will get to see the parade on BBC and other channels all over the world, and then there’s about one million people on the streets of London the day of the parade,” Legacy High School Band Director Loy Studer said.
With the thought of millions of eyes being on you could give some stage fright, but WFISD high school band students are ‘counting down the measures’ to perform.
“When it was announced in the room, everybody was just cheering and applauding. It was a really great feeling to get to know we, our band, was chosen to go to London,” Legacy High School Band Student Keira Dassinger said.
“I’m excited to bunk with my friends and go around. I’ve never been out of the country and see the food they have,” Legacy High School Band Student Jaxson Penney said.
All 225 members of the high school bands get to travel and perform.
“So far, I think that we’re going to be doing really good with the marching. The two bands together, I feel like we get a long together really well, and we’ll really click together when were marching,” Legacy High School Band Student Cheyenne Garcia said.
“What is the furthest that you’ve ever travelled?” The reporter asked.
“Um, probably Iowa, I have family up there, so we go up there sometimes for Christmas,” Jaxson said.
“I think the furthest I’ve ever travelled was Mississippi,” Cheyenne said.
“Well, I was born in Japan, but I don’t remember anything from it. And other than that, I’ve been to like Minnesota, but I’ve never been to London, so I’m excited,” Keira said.
“Music just opens the doors for us to travel and again support other classes,” Studer said.
While Studer did not reveal the entire uniform that the band will wear in London, he did drop a hint.
“I can tell you this much, we’re going to play up Texas a lot because that’s what we’re about. We’re combining with both of these and were going to play up Wichita Falls and were going to go all in in that,” he said.
“After marching, he said we’re going to work on it a lot and get it down,” Jaxson said.
They are confident in the leadership they have prepared them for the big day.
“His firmness motivates us, and it gets us going. Because there’s a time to work and a time to play, and he knows that,” Keira said.
Aside from the performance, those apart of WFISD just want students to take full advantage of the experience.
“And the parade is just the smallest portion of why this is important for these kids because they get to see all the stuff they’re studying in all their classes,” Studer said.
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