The Tyrone Golden Eagle Marching Band competition season will come to an end this Sunday at the Atlantic Coast Championships in Hershey. 

Their 2024 program is called “The Lost City” and has been presented at their halftime shows and multiple competitions all over the state. 

Since the summer, the band has been working hard and has continuously improved their overall score at each competition. The band is judged on many elements including musical score, general effect, and visuals, which all add up to an overall score out of 100 points. 

The band finished in second place behind Johnstown at three regular-season competitions, and earned first place at Johnstown three weeks ago, scoring an 84.51. 

Following the regular season, the band placed second at the Region 11 Championship in DuBois on October 19.

The band last competed at the State Competition at Mansion Park in Altoona on Saturday, October 26, earning a fourth-place finish with a score of 88.70 out of all class 1-A bands that attended the show. 

The band is getting ready for their final competition this Sunday. 

Marching band isn’t all about socialization, friendships, and competition, it’s also about growing in many different aspects musically and challenging oneself in other areas. 

“I always like to challenge the kids with interesting music that isn’t just simple and easy, like some other bands, so music is our biggest achievement against other bands,” TAHS Band Director Dave Hock said. 

Giving the kids music that challenges their skills helps them compete with others and gives them room to grow and expand their knowledge of music. 

“By the end of the season, you see the kids grow a lot,” Hock said. 

As the band prepares for their final competition, they’re looking back on all the work that went into this season, starting with their lengthy and strenuous band camp in July, followed by consistent three-hour practices every Tuesday and Thursday. 

The band can be seen and heard practicing up to nine hours a week outside, no matter the weather, which starts hot in August and ends cold in November. 

Senior Makayla Briggs looks back on her time with the band fondly.

“Getting first place at ACCs for indoor [percussion] the last two years and third for marching band last year,” is what Briggs feels her biggest accomplishment is in her time with the band. 

Briggs reminisced about the good times she’s had with the band.

“My favorite memories are meeting lots of new people my first year, going to competitions with the band, and having lots of fun, especially in Hershey and Wildwood,” Briggs said.

Briggs also has some words of advice for those just joining the marching band. “Don’t let the practices get to you, they will be difficult,” Briggs said.