O’Connor High School’s marching band is centering its first season under new head director Gabriel Valdez on a “we before me” philosophy, Yahoo reported. Valdez, who spent about seven years as an assistant and associate director, has emphasized teamwork and collective progress as the ensemble prepares for UIL competition.
The band’s young roster makes that message especially relevant. Valdez said the group typically has 50 to 60 seniors but counts about 35 this year, with freshmen and sophomores making up roughly 60% of the ensemble. A “Bigs and Littles” mentorship program pairs younger students with upperclassmen who help them navigate band and high school, Yahoo reported.
Freshman flute player Sophia Grant said marching band has given her an immediate sense of community and helped her mature. Senior drum major Annie Earl, who has known Valdez since she was about 12 or 13, said his driven approach helps the band build momentum.
The ensemble is performing “Unrest,” a production about trying to fall asleep as an increasingly active mind refuses to cooperate. O’Connor had planned the show for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted that season, and Valdez decided to revisit it six years later. Valdez said success will not be measured solely by competition rankings, but by whether students can say they gave their best effort and feel they are improving each rehearsal.
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