Most people recognize their marching band from performances at football games, but most high school marching bands also compete in competitions hosted by other bands. This year, The Marching Bulldogs are hosting a competition, The Bulldog Band Brawl, on Sept. 21 at the Big Spring Stadium for the first time since 2022.
Although the Band Brawl was canceled last season due to inclement weather, the Bulldog Band and Big Spring Band Boosters still opened their concession stand and held a bake sale that day. “It’s our biggest fundraiser every year,” Band Director Adam Nobile said. “It was not an easy decision, and it’s one of those things that like was a financial hit for the Band Boosters too, so we try to avoid that at all costs.” The Big Spring Band Boosters organize the funds for Big Spring’s entire band program, including funds raised during the Brawl. “We made about a quarter of what we normally would last year…We were better off financially than we were when we first came out of the pandemic,” Nobile said.
In addition to the Band Brawl’s financial effects, it also impacts the marching band’s morale. Peter Eddy, junior, co-student director, and tenor saxophone player, was disappointed by the weather last year. “The Brawl is always something that I look forward to in a season,” Eddy said. Lena Ryan, sophomore, marched saxophone until 2023 when she joined outdoor colorguard. Ryan said, “My first Band Brawl I marched saxophone, so I was excited to perform as a guard member.” Ryan also expressed disappointment about canceling the Brawl last year. Current drum major Finn McNaughton said, “The best part about the brawl is when we’re done, when there’s no one left in the stadium, all the lights are off, and you can just breathe”
There’s no question that the Band Brawl is a source of pride for the Marching Bulldogs. “We get to show off the pride we have as an organization…There are a lot of bands that have been to every brawl we’ve hosted because we host it well,” Nobile said. Additionally, the band puts a lot of time into the brawl. McNaughton said, “For the first four months of school my entire life as the drum major is dedicated to the band, so having the opportunity to perform to a crowd that wants to see us, that paid money to see us, is an amazing feeling.” Overall, the band is readily anticipating the Brawl and they’re hoping for a productive day.
