Months of hard work lead to minutes of Mustang musical magic

Chloe Nelson – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – It’s 20 seconds before the second quarter ends. The crowd is cheering and the quarterback is about to throw the perfect toss into the end zone. The coach is yelling plays, and the players get set for a last run before halftime.

Meanwhile, the Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) marching band is preparing to perform a show they have been working on for months. Warming up, gathering their instruments and flags, and getting into position, the band counts down with the crowd as time runs out.

The band hopes to create an amazing spectacle for the audience. However, the Marching Mustangs’ performance isn’t just magically put together in a day. It takes weeks and months of preparation, calculating, practice, and a lot of volunteers.

Band director Ron Lambert is so thankful for volunteers.

“Nothing would be possible without their help, nothing,” Lambert said.

Marching band involves not just playing an instrument; it’s writing drills, learning dances, flag, weapon, and body work, designing costumes that fit everyone correctly, constructing props that create a visual representation of the show, and then putting it all together.

The band wouldn’t be a success if it weren’t for the parents. Band mom Kim Brielmann is happy she chose to help.

“When Mackenzie (her daughter) joined marching band, the LRHS Band Boosters Association stressed to the parents how important volunteers are to the success of the band. I was excited to get involved with band to help reach that goal, as well as have the opportunity to meet other parents and to spend time with my daughter and her friends,” Brielmann said.

With all the time they spend together, the band created close bonds. Band dad Joseph Brielmann feels very lucky to be a part of the band family.

“The band is one big family with everyone all working together to produce a top-tier performance,” Brielmann said. “It is truly amazing the amount of work that is needed to run a band and put on a first class show like Mr. Lambert and the kids do.”

Friday nights are just one example of how the band’s hard work pays off. Brielmann said, “When you see the band having fun, you realize all the behind-the-scenes work is worth it. The whole experience is very rewarding.”

Band is more than a performance during halftime. It’s a process that takes time, energy, and determination. Junior Makenzie Horner is happy she chose to be in band.

“You may hear me complaining about how long and hot the practices are, but the feeling you have at the end of a performance makes them worth it,” Horner admitted.

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