Carson High marching band rocks highest enrollment ever

“They sound better than they have before,” he said. “Now that we have more people, the music is more harder and they’re up for a challenge. This year, we are heavily focusing on the fundamentals.”

One of the main goals for the band is to take home a first place trophy from any of the competitions.

“I’m hoping we can try new things with new members,” said Drum Captain Section Leader Maddy Eustis. “We’re in a new division now because we’ve grown, and we want to win awards against other high school bands in our division.”

As for the freshmen, it’s described they’ve been thrown into the lion’s den — and are fitting in quite well, Zabelsky said.

“The new sound we have is great, but my goal is to make the band more positive and fun,” said CHS Senior and Drum Major Tobi Arreola. “Our second priority should be competing. We have a few new members struggling at times and we want to make them feel included. Band has always been my home and I want that feeling for the freshmen, too.”

The motto for the band this year is to grow as a family within the culture of the band.

“Winning is something but when you have a great performance in the band, it feels great,” said Arreola. “Even if you don’t win.”

“I can’t do it alone,” Zabelsky said. “The staff and leadership of the students have helped make this happen.”

The official season for band begins Oct. 7 at McQueen High School. The band also will be performing in the Nevada Day Parade set for Oct. 28. The last major two competitions of the season are at the University of Nevada, Reno, on Nov. 4 and in Fairfield, Calif., Nov. 18.