FALLBROOK - On Dec. 1, the Fallbrook Marching Warriors competed in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Championships (SCSBOA) in Downey, where they earned their highest score of their winning season. The Warriors performed at 3:08 pm, marched off the field, straight into the waiting bus to make it back to Fallbrook in time for the Christmas Parade.

"Words cannot express how proud we are. There are not enough ‘thank you’s’ to express the gratitude that I have for Victor Torres for bringing this program alive and to the Boosters who have sacrificed so much for our kids." says Nina Luna, mother of baritone saxophonist James Thorpe.

It was just over one year ago that this program was nearly cut from the high school curriculum. Since October of this year, the Marching Warriors have won six out of seven field tournaments and placed fifth in the SCSBOA Championships where they competed against the top 12 division 1A bands in Southern California.

What drives these kids to work so hard? It’s the rush they experience performing together.

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[ Christ the King Lutheran Church ] says clarinet section leader Olivia Montiano "to perform with the marching band is to share with each other a feeling that involves all the senses. You see, hear and feel the music – nothing else gives that to me. It’s the best feeling imaginable."

No other school program is as inclusive and accessible to all students, plus offers academic credit too. There are no starters and no bench warmers in marching band. Everyone has a role in the competitive show they perform. Students that participate are from all grade levels working together, rehearsing, sweating, marching, dancing, memorizing – all for the feeling they get performing as a whole.

Incoming freshmen, instead of being tolerated underlings, are welcomed – infusing the program with new members. Veteran students are the leaders, teaching the incoming freshman how to march, play, and dance with flags.

Marching season is over for this year. Now this energetic school program switches gears: Winter Drum Line and Winter Guard competitions, concert performances, music festivals, jazz band, and more. And then there’s always the anticipation of next year’s marching show!