Like Patterson, many band members watch their musical counterparts in other bands, Flutists watched the flutes. Color guards watched the flag and rifle choreography. Percussionists, like Lester McQuaid of the Belleville West Marching Maroons, watched the drum line. I like watching the drum line to see how good they are, said McQuaid. I like to see if they stay on step in their forms and the music, too.
Many bands combine competitive form with entertaining artistic interpretation.
Owensville performed Freeing of the Roman Slaves through costuming and musical selection. As the color guard entered the competition filed, they staggered while holding large chains, thus portraying the role of the slaves. Francis Howell North abandoned traditional uniforms completely. Though a new concept for Howell North, its artistic vision paid off with a third place finish in the Gold Division. Another school who reached beyond the traditional marching band aesthetic is Oakville s Marching Tigers.