By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

RESERVE – The marching band at Riverside Academy in Reserve has built upon the momentum it gained last year under new band director Darryl Clement and has become a force to be reckoned with.

At the Louisiana Music Educators Association District 6 Marching Assessment, the band along with the dance team and color guard earned a score of one — the highest possible — in every category. Riverside’s was the only band to achieve such a feat.

The competition is one in which the entrants are each judged on their own individual merits rather than being pitted against one another. Organizations are given a score from one to five.

“You basically are competing against yourself,” said Clement, adding, “It was really exciting for this group of kids.”

Clement said for the competition the students’ performance used the music from the hit musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”

“I try to keep our shows a little more lighthearted than the other schools,” said Clement.

But while Clement may determine the theme of the show, the students themselves come up with the actual performance.

“We just listen to the music and do what goes best,” said Dance Team Captain Jessica Hebert.

Drum Major Annie Tir compared this year’s performance to last year’s, when the group earned mostly twos.

“It just felt more cohesive. And it was a fun show, so we could really get into it,” she said. “I didn’t think we’d make straight ones. It felt so amazing.”

Clement said this group faces an obstacle that many larger schools do not because of the size of the band. Riverside’s band has just 30 members along with eight dance team members and four color guard members.

“Because we’re building the band back up, we’re marching seventh-graders,” said Clement. “To get all those awards working with such a small group is an amazing thing.”

“You could do a lot more with more people,” added Colorguard Captain Baylee Bennett.

Tir said she sees both advantages and disadvantages to having a smaller group.

“It’s easier to give more specific instructions, but it’s also easier to see the mistakes,” she said.

Clement said more competitions and other outside activities will continue to make the group grow.

“I feel like we’ve got to get to a certain level,” said Clement. “By earning awards like this, our band has grown.”