Starting this October, the award-winning Dublin High School Irish Guard will once again take the field in exhibition and compete against other marching bands from high schools across northern California. With only two months to prepare, the DHS Irish Guard has been tirelessly working on their field show in preparation for their first competition.  

There is a positive outlook for the field show this year, thanks to the band’s growth and size and higher dedication levels, according to Paul Everts, the Director of Instrumental Music.

Both freshmen and seniors are excited for this year’s field show and are looking forward to being able to compete. But competition isn’t everything.

According to head drum major Michelle Won, the best part about marching band is “coming together as a huge family and connecting with people who have the same passion.”

The theme for this year’s field show is Heroes and Villains, with the band members acting as the heroes and the color guard members portraying the villains. Throughout the ten minute performance, the band will march and play their instruments while the drum major Michelle Won conducts from her spot on the podium with the help of assistant drum majors Noah Villanueva, Bryce Shinohara, and Vade Shah. While the drum majors are conducting and the band is marching, Dublin’s Color Guard will be performing with their flags and rifles.

A field show of this magnitude requires loads of practice and commitment.  On any given Saturday, the band can be found at the football field with their instruments by their sides and smiles brightening their faces. Working on drills, practicing music, and bonding with other band members keeps the whole of the band busy from mornings to noons, but also leads to rewarding results.

Ishan Saha, this year’s band president says, “I love band because it gives all us musicians an opportunity to do what we love in an environment that harbors success and friendship.”

To watch this year’s field show and experience each band member’s hard work for yourself, you can attend the Foothill Band Review in Pleasanton on October 22nd or catch the DHS Irish Guard at the Dublin Band Review in our very own stadium on October 29th.  For further dates and competitions, make sure to check out the Dublin High School Irish Guard website at www.dhsirishguard.org.