Pride of Cove Band holds annual Spirit Spectacular

by SEAN HANEY

Cove Leader-Press

This past Thursday Cove High School put on their annual Spirit Spectacular at the football stadium where many different groups performed to include the Pride of Cove Band and Color Guard, the Copperettes, and Varsity Cheer.

The theme for this year’s show for the band is “Miles from Home.”

“Too many hours to count,” said Tony Chapa, Director of Bands said about the amount of time put in on practicing for Spirit Spectacular. “We started rehearsing on July 26 and went through three weeks of summer band that led us into the start of the school year.”

Spirit Spectacular is important to the kids, Chapa said, because “it gives friends and family a chance to see the early stages of our UIL show in a relaxed atmosphere without having to worry about paying for a ticket or having to travel out of town to see it.”

“It's basically like a car show, essentially a travel show set in the 50s,” said Emma Morris, a senior and Drum Major for the Pride of Cove. “Essentially what we're going for is traveling from home.”

The Pride of Cove has been working on their performance since the summer.

“These kids have been working endlessly and tirelessly to learn how to march well and learn how to play well, and then finally putting that all together into an awesome show.”

Among the songs performed as part of the show is the classic “On the Road Again” made popular by Willie Nelson.

The Pride of Cove’s first competition performance is the first weekend in October.

For the Copperettes, Antonia Parrish-Brooks stated that the Copperettes learned their performance routine in June at American Dance/Drill Team camp.

“It's been something we've practiced consistently since then, but we really focused on it this week in preparation for this event.”

Just like the Band and Color Guard, the Copperettes believe that Spirit Spectacular holds a value for them.

“It allows us to showcase the talent of our team and uplift the spirit of our community” said Parrish-Brooks. “Spirit Spectacular allows us the opportunity to practice and perfect our performance quality and showmanship.”

Showmanship is an important element of the performance.

“During competition season showmanship is a part of the score sheet and can be a deciding factor in our overall ranking and special awards.”

The cheerleaders have also been practicing as well as cheering on the crowds on Friday nights.

“Cheer has been practicing for Spirit Spectacular for the last two weeks,” said Cheer Coach Chandler Diaz. “We would start having them practice during their cheer athletic period and during our after-school practice.

“We believe in showing up to support our school and that’s what we did tonight, we showed up so we can support the Pride of Cove band and showcase everyone’s hard work.”

The cheerleaders are also looking ahead to their own competitions, the biggest one being UIL State.

“It means all of our effort, last minute performances, and us having to work through our challenges as a team means everything,” Laikyn Cornet, Senior Cheerleader said.

“To go out and perform to our best ability was a great feeling,” Cornet added. “In my head I was like, ‘This is beautiful.’ Band is one of our biggest supporters when we do come out on the field, and we depend on them for everything that we do. So, we really appreciate them.”