It’s a state year, which means the band will compete at a state level against bands in Texas. Students can’t afford to miss a beat with the high stakes. The band has spent countless hours rehearsing to keep true to their slogan “perfection on turf”.

It’s a combination of a really athletic activity and performing music. Combining our bodies with our art making music. It’s a big project,” Assistant Director Kelsie Dunham.

Through the Night will take the audience on a journey starting with Hymn to a Blue Hour by John Mackey which is when the sun sets. Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst when the planets appear. Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy and Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, when the stars and moon come out. Then goes to Shadow Chase from Michael Giacchino the scariest part of the night. Finally the sun rises during Sunrise from The Grand Canyon Suite by Ferde Grofe ending the band’s journey through the night. With these rhythmically and musically challenging pieces of music, the bar and standard has been raised. Students are expected to play with a beautiful tone quality while marching up 172 beats per minute.

“The music it’s like a new level of difficulty. It’s more complex and musical than our previous show. It’s a challenge,” fourth chair mellophone Enoch Olajimi.

The opener with music by Holst features the band’s mellophone players. Recently the organization invested in new instruments that are according to the section leader Mary Harkins “so much better than our B Flat marching horns.”

With the arrival of the new instruments Sept. 7 these musicians will have to learn all new fingerings. Choreography has been added including a 24 count visual in which the entire ensemble performs simultaneously.

“I feel that we’re doing our best and now we can become better players than what we were before [with new mellophone]. There’s nothing hold us back,” 10th chair mellophone Kennedy Walters.

The ballad has music by Beethoven, and Debussy. Moonlight Sonata, the more recognizable of the two is being played by trumpet player Maizy True on the keyboard. All-State musicians Seth Ragsdale and Aheyon Ko are also soloists this year. Ragsdale on the trumpet and Ko on the clarinet. Although choreography is still a work in progress one of many visuals already in the show includes a 24 count visual in which the entire ensemble performs simultaneously. Props have been made including a four step ramp, six tarps and silver stars that the colorguard use during the ballad. The guard also utilizes shiny silver swing flags, black flags that fade into purple, sabers and rifles.The show was inspired by a poem and the band’s new uniforms. Uniforms this year have a white and “Pride of the East” blue jacket with the original E in between the two colors. Also black bibbers underneath the jacket with a strip of blue that fades into black on one leg. The plume on top of the hat is now blue.

“I think they make us look really powerful. It’ll be a really good strong look for a really good strong show,” drum major Ella Schulmeistrat.

The closer is still in the process of being put on the field. Shadow Chase is the first part of the closer that is performance ready. Many would consider it to be fast paced with exciting to play music that is meant to make the audience jump out of their seats. Sunrise is yet to be put on the field.

“We have an amazing season ahead of us. We’re really excited to lead an awesome organization like this one,” Schulmeistrat said.

See the band Sept. 30 at the US Bands Marching Contest at the C.H Collins Stadium.