Fremont has had a marching band organization ever since the school opened its doors in 1994. Considered an unofficial sport, the group began in the original Wahlquist Jr. High parking lot, where they marched the road to the fairgrounds, and the path through the 31 years since. Today, the marching band competes at the highest level against some of the toughest competition in the state. 

Marching band also has opportunities beyond state and region competitions. Member of the marchers, junior Quinn Dalton who plays the clarinet, said, “One of my favorite memories from marching band was going to Disneyland for a performing arts trip and performing for the people there!”

The Marching Band is currently working towards having more clinics available and Mr. Reeder, music teacher and marching band director, wants to improve the marching band by allowing junior high kids to start earlier. He has also stated that he wants to work on the programs for junior highs, like opening up the summer parade band, wanting to get them into the group earlier allowing them to participate. Reeder (add his status and position with marching band) also believes that having more success will attract more members.

Reader, expresses,“Well, one, I think success is a good advertisement. So as you do better, you get more people. We’ve started doing opening up our summer parade band stuff to all the junior

highs too, so the junior highs can come and participate as well. That’s the biggest thing we can do is try and build the junior high programs up.”

During one of their recent competitions, they beat Mountain Ridge, a school they had yet to score above. Mr. Reeder was especially happy about this, stating that, “Beating Mountain Ridge was a cool win for us.”

Fremont’s marching band has definitely improved over the past few years, and you can see it in the state competition points which increased by around 3 or 4 points per event. Their community and leadership are one of the attributes that has helped them get to the place they’re at today. Those qualities are also strengths that set them apart from the other teams.

Another part of marching band is the colour guard, a very vital and extravagant part of this sport. They are in charge of the choreographed flag twirling. But they don’t only do the flags, they have the sabers, rifles, and more. It’s all to make the visual aspect of marching band. The choreography helps tell a story while the music plays.

Junior Shelby Hall, a Color Guard Co-captain, said, “I think just the girls being so welcoming and nice, and being so willing to teach me was so fun. Building new relationships was also a big part of it.”

Some advice from Reeder if you are interested in marching band: “Don’t wait to join, because there are people that waited until their senior year and then they realized how much they missed out on waiting too long, and then they regret not doing it previously. If you’re thinking about joining, just do it. Just get in and get started.”