Elizabeth Loya is a part of the clarinet section in the Emerald Brigade and a participant in Homecoming and Bonfire on October 20-21.

Student Government hosted it’s 2016 Homecoming game and dance very recently. The Emerald Brigade was in the bleachers next to Tribe, performing and cheering for the football team.

“We practiced all week for Bonfire and Homecoming,”Loya said,” We didn’t practice more than usual, but we wanted GBHS to win.”

Loya’s favorite part was playing the Olympic fanfare while the Royalty was rolling in. Loya said the music choice fit the scenario nicely and that it was really glamourous to see it happen.

“It just fit the scene really perfectly. Royalty was all dressed up, and everyone was having a great time. ” said Loya.

The band was wearing their full green uniform and they had to stand in the uniforms for the whole game with the exception of halftime and injuries that occurred on the field.

“They’re pretty fancy, but they are really high maintenance. The worst part was probably the amount of standing we had to.” said Loya.

Along with playing their instruments, the musicians have to be able to march to the tempo, all while having to memorize their music. There was a total of eleven pages worth of music to memorize for the bonfire and they also had to remember their standard pieces for Homecoming.

“To put it simply it’s hard (to memorize the music)” said Loya, “We got some time in class to memorize it, but most of the memorization was done at home.”

Loya feels like this would be a memorable experience, since she is a freshman. Loya says that her first homecoming was so much fun.

“I would still go (to Homecoming), but only if my friends went,” Loya said. “It was fun being able to perform with the band.”

by Tanya Barot