It was an emotional night Tuesday, Oct. 15th, as the Buena drum majors took their final bows during the last marching band performance, which was open to family members and the community.

The night started with an opportunity for family and community members to come down to the stadium to learn how to march, play some of the students’ instruments, and learn how to use color guard’s flags. After this, the audience went back into the stands to watch a demonstration put on by the drumline, many choosing to have some of the free coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks provided.

Band director James Rumenapp then announced the show was about to start, and the seniors took to the bleachers to watch the performance. At the community performance every year, the seniors watch the show they worked to create. Sitting in the crowd, it was hard not to feel the emotions of the seniors, who were cheering excitedly for the underclassmen. The seniors’ impact was more noticeable than ever, as their absence was clearly visible on the field. It was especially noticeable with colorguard, as all members were sitting in the stands. After a round of applause, the seniors went back down to the field to perform one last time.

“This was notably a rebuilding year…we saw a lot of growth from our younger students, and our older students had a lot of opportunities for mentorship and it really set us up for a great next season,” Rumenapp said. 

When Rumenapp announced the second performance, this time with everyone, a silence fell over the crowd. Excitedly awaiting the last performance of the year, and the seniors last performance for Buena.

“The rookies have come so far…I could see how the band would be run after we were gone, and it had so much potential,” senior saxophone player Emily Gill said in an email interview. 

The show was called “City of Lights”, and the story of the show is “a love story between two members of the guard in Paris, but it was expanded to include a demonstration of the growth of life through light. In the beginning there isn’t any “light” from the lantern in the show, so no one is moving. As the show progresses, the lantern moves and the light grows and spreads,” Gill said. 

This theme was represented by lamp poles on the field and colorguard’s costumes and flags.

The drum majors took their stands and the music filled the stadium, with dozens of onlookers watching the culmination of the year’s efforts. The marching band moved in sync to their music, colorguard expertly weaving through them. It was easy to tell how much love and dedication was put into the performance.

“The hardest part for me [of the performance] was difficult music, as I…had to adjust to quick tempo changes and higher notes,” Gill said. 

When the last note was played, there was a split second of silence before the loud roar of applause, family members and fellow Buena students alike cheering and clapping. After this, volunteers from the season got shoutouts, and it was time for pictures. The energy down on the field was unmatched as students cheered and celebrated their hard work. Emotions ran high and everywhere you looked there were people capturing the moment. Now and throughout the night, there was a focus on the seniors and how they felt.

While some didn’t want the season to end, most seniors were choosing to look forward instead of back. 

“I’ve had a good run, but it’s time for it to be over,” senior saxophone player Tehminey Calderon said.

Senior drum majors Cadence Oerlemans and Xavier Ramierez were sad that marching band was over, but proud of their accomplishments and “excited for the future,” Oerlemans said.