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High school sports practices and competitions were temporarily suspended from August to September of 2021. With respect to this decision, Maui High School took the initiative to postpone their marching band season in support of athletics. Although marching band is an academic course, the school felt that the postponement was more important than getting the time to “earn the grade.” The delay of the marching band season not only demonstrates school unity and support but also assists in the efforts of the community to keep the Covid-19 numbers down.
With high school sports resuming, Maui High School’s Marching Band plans to proceed with its program. In a traditional marching season, both marching band and color guard perform at half-time during Maui High’s football games. However, this year the plan is to go from an on-field season to an indoor season. The color guard and marching band will have their own individual group performances on the gym floor. Covid restrictions may potentially be lifted through winter and into spring; thus, the marching band and color guard hope to have a live audience performance. “I’m heartbroken that we won’t be able to practice and perform on the field as a whole marching band. My favorite part of the program is performing at football games with the live music played by the marching band and now that we aren’t together nor having a field show, I am saddened. However, I’m glad that we’ll have some sort of season even though it’s not a traditional one,” says color guard member Aeris Miyake.
This indoor season will be the first time Maui High School’s Marching Band will be doing this. “When I envision marching band, I expect a performance with both the band and guard. If it’s split this year, then it doesn't feel like marching band anymore,” comments Jhon, a supporter of Maui High School’s Marching Band program. Being that the season is so delayed, the program lost about a couple of months with the pause. Maui High School band director, Kerry Wasano, notes that “Coming back and doing things traditionally will not work since other things are going on in our programs such as preparing for our winter recording performance.” In addition to a couple of months with the pause, the marching program is coming out of a whole year without marching. In 2020, there was no season, so there is a lot of rebuilding to do. “I’m hoping that all of the students understand what is required and necessary in order for us to keep our programs strong. So that buy-in is going to be really important for our members, and they need to rededicate themselves to being good, even with the possibility of not having a performance, but still practice hard and do things that they're supposed to do regardless.”
With that said, marching band season officially recommenced on November 16th, 2021. The Maui High School ohana is excited to see what the Marching Band cooks up and wishes them the best of luck!