This past September, the NAHS marching band competed at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) in Jasper, Indiana. The overall marching band ended with a “Scholastic A Gold Rating” at ISSMA scholastic prelims. This rating characterizes a high-class performance for a high school, puts the band in the class “A,” and oftentimes qualifies the students for the next level of competition. This is an incredible win for both the marching band and color guard.
Senior Taylor Chapman has been involved in NAHS color guard for five years. She participates not only in color guard, but also winter guard. Chapman is the team captain of color guard.
“My older sister was recruited by one of her friends, and she made me join as well,” Chapman said. “We had a few seasons together…I was unsure about it at first, but I’m so grateful to her for making me join because the team is so important to me now. It’s very special to me to be able to share this activity with my sister, who now spins in Ball State’s color guard.”
Through their dedication to the school’s program, NAHS students have made school history.
“Our gold rating at the ISSMA scholastic competition was the first in school history,” Chapman said. “Never in the history of marching band at New Albany did we ever truly attempt a competitive marching show, so to be able to pull off a gold rating in our first competitive year against all expectations is an accomplishment I am so incredibly proud to be a part of.”
Sophomore Olivia Burns has been involved in a school-sponsored band for four years. She started at Scribner Middle School, playing the flute. She has since picked up an additional instrument: the piccolo. She is a member of the NAHS competitive marching band.
“I started in seventh grade after I finally got a chance to pick my own elective,” Burns said. “I was like, ‘You know what? Playing an instrument would be cool’… Then I just picked one on the list, and I didn’t even know what it was.”
Band and color guard participate in their own respective competitions throughout the year. ISSMA is the last step in their competition season.
“So I feel like ISSMA is the final round,” Burns said. “At other competitions, it’s okay to not do as well because there’s still like a month or two to learn. But, ISSMA is like, either you do it and you do great, or you don’t do good. And if you mess up at ISSMA, there’s nothing after that.”
Band Director Mr. Nick Scroggins has been working at the school for five years. He has led the marching band to their victory at ISSMA this past year.
“Even though [Mr. Scroggins] doesn’t play my instrument,” Burns said, “I feel like he still helps, he helped more than the last [band teachers] did…I feel like him pushing us to meet this goal really helped us do what we do.”
A typical day of competition for marching band and color guard begins at 8-9 am and ends at 9-10 pm. They begin their day with practice on our football field for an hour or two, and then load onto a bus. Once they get to their competition location, they practice a bit more before competing.
“After rehearsal,” Chapman said, “[Color guard makes] sure to load all of the equipment and instruments up before heading inside for some cool down time. We take 30 minutes or so to relax after our morning, eat something, and get everything in order to head out.”
“[Marching band] also [spends] mostly Tuesdays and Thursdays after school,” Burns said. “And sometimes before competitions, we even do Fridays. Then, of course, games are also practice for us.”
The goals that the marching band and color guard have accomplished are only accomplished as a whole. There is a vast testimony through students of the community that programs like marching band and color guard bring.
“Nearly everyone in there is friends,” Burns said. “Like, nearly everyone can talk to each other freely and say the craziest thing and nobody would care…We’re all really close and we keep each other accountable.”
“Being a part of the color guard has shaped me as a person.” Chapman said, “I’ve learned so much, and not just how to spin. I’ve learned teamwork, critical thinking, multitasking, and leadership, among many other skills.”
Through these connections, NAHS band and color guard students have found acceptance and a sense of belonging.
“I would say my favorite part of band,” Burns said, “is just being around people and just being able to form these close connections with people that have all gone through similar things.”
“I’ve made some of my closest friends through this team,” Chapman said, “and grown so much as a performer and a person thanks to them. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.”
This is just the beginning of a long season of success for these programs. They have carried the torch of the NAHS marching band legacy, as well as adding their own flair to the program.
“With how well this season went,” Chapman said, “I can only expect our band to continue to climb the ranks and perform better and better every year. Being a gold-rated competitive marching band gives us a little credibility and hopefully inspires students to join and continue to better our program.”
“From here, this can only make us better,” Burns said. “This is our like, first big thing, and I feel like now Scroggins will see that we actually have a chance…this will just prove to show that we can do this.” 
