The members of the Mighty Marching Bulldogs are excited about the 2021-22 season.
The band will return to the field on Aug. 20 for the first home football game.
“They are excited to get back to the business of marching and everything pre-COVID,” said Karalda Perkins, director of bands. “We are rebuilding. It is looking hopeful.”
The 60-member Mighty Marching Bulldogs include the marching band, Fame Dancers, and Fame Flaggers.
Students are at the end of completing a three-week band camp.
“The students are working hard, and they sound good,” Perkins said as the band walked to the new football field. “They are excited to get back to it.”
Drum major Terrell Townsend is one of those students. He admitted that being in a pandemic last season took a toll on not only the band but all of the student organizations.
“I think this year is going to be a pretty good year,” said Townsend, who is a senior.
Senior I’xarra Perkins is the woodwinds captain. This season, she wanted her section to be strong.
“The instruments we play are very high pitch,” she said. “I need them to be able to play high and a little louder so our instruments can be heard.”
Band captain Alex Stroman was ready for the band to start the season. He felt like the marching band set the tone for the football games.
“I feel without us, the game by itself would not be fun without some type of entertainment,” he said. “The Cheerleaders try their best and a shout out to the cheerleaders. But I feel like the band gives an extra push for the team.”
The band will be there for the football team for six home and four away games.
Karalda Perkins said they would participate in three competitions and at least one parade for Historically Black Colleges and Universities homecoming.
The band had a chance to practice Monday for the first time on the new football field.
“It gives us a chance to get out there and see what it feels like,” she said. “We are excited.”
Perkins said they will do a short field performance at the ribbon-cutting Friday evening at 7:30 in McAlpine Stadium.
It will be the band’s first performance of the season.
“Instead of just walking out there and playing a couple of songs,” Perkins said. “We are going to do a short field performance on Friday.”
Chloe Jones, dance captain for the Fame dance team, felt they added a little jazz to the band.
“It makes them look good,” she said.
In her third year, Jones had looked forward to band camp.
“We put our field show together and it helps us to bond,” she said.
As a member of the flag line, Hope Hardison said they added color on the field for the band.
She also looked forward to band camp.
“It is a time to work on new stuff and also to meet everyone and get close to everybody,” Hardison said. “You make good bonds.”
Percussion section leader E.J. McQueen said the purpose of band camp was to learn your music and to get a head start on building a bond with fellow band members.
This year was bittersweet for McQueen as a senior. He admitted it had not hit him yet that it was his final year.
“I got work to do but I have looked back over the years as a reflection seeing all the work,” he said.
The goal for this season was simple.
“We have a superior mindset to be first place in competitions,” McQueen said.
The band will have an ongoing hydration drive for cases of water and Gatorade for the 2021-22 band year.
Donations can be made to the MCHS band room from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday or by calling 843-456-7465.