The Howl Takes Center Stage!

Setting the mood for many school events with music, the band plays a big role with the atmosphere at Ridgeview High School. With performing at football games, competitions and other performances it can be a lot that goes unnoticed. A band is way more than just the music they make. Behind every practice and performance there is an instructor guiding students through everything. Many students who are not very familiar with band might not know all of the perseverance that goes into being in band. Band is more than just an elective, it requires time and dedication. The Howl is a band competition hosted at Ridgeview High School and will take place on October 31, 2026. Many schools will participate in the chance to be seen and recognized for their skills.

Robert Martins, the band instructor at Ridgeview High School, talked about band specifically. “Band is an organization of musicians that perform on wind and percussion instruments,” Martins explained. Having to learn and play on an instrument is a difficult skill and makes the band stand out as opposed to any other elective. “Band teaches dedication because of what it takes to be a musician, you have to sacrifice a lot, it is not an individual thing.” Martins stated. In band there is so much more that goes into it than just playing an instrument. You have to be willing to collaborate with peers, take instruction, and be willing to practice. “We’re working and sweating at 7:30 a.m. before anyone gets here at 9 a.m,” said Martins. The band works very hard towards goals and sometimes their achievements can go unnoticed. “Delayed gratification is one of the great values that we learn from band,” explained Martins. Ridgeview High School will be hosting the Howl this year on where the band will be performing and competing against various other schools. “The Howl is a competition that we host. We are going to have eight high schools performing and I think five junior highs. High schools do a field show competition. Junior highs do a parade around the track and will be judged off that and high schools will be judged on field maneuvering, sound, colorguard integration, and the entertainment value overall,” Martins explained. The Howl is just one of the many competitions that the band is rehearsing for and will be attending.

Jayden Gaeta, a junior at and marching band drum major, spoke on what band is and the opportunities that come with it. “Band gives us an opportunity to build connections with other students who have similar interests,” Jayden Gaeta explains. Band allows students an environment they can thrive in. Having to be a part of something bigger than yourself to even be in band. Learning how to collaborate and build bonds with students plays a big part in band.

Matthew Porta, a junior, also talked about band. “Band is one of my favorite hobbies to do. I really enjoy playing an instrument. It is very unique because it can be very different for everyone,” Porta stated. In band there are many different roles and responsibilities for different students depending on what instruments they chose to play. “I have a student teacher relationship with Mr. Martins and I think he loves band as much as I do,” Porta stated. Band way more than it seems it is a community of students who work very hard to perform and compete.

Band is a lot more than just students playing instruments. Students in band need to have grit and passion in order to be in band. The Howl will be a great place for the band to show what they have to offer. The Howl is a great place to go and support our Ridgeview High School band.

The Howl Takes Center Stage!

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