“Drum major Zach Hedrick, is your band ready?”
The year is 2012 and the Pride of Oklahoma marching band take the field for their performance. The theme— video games. In this captivating performance, the band plays a familiar melody for Zelda fans in the audience. This segment is often praised for the arrangement, intricate formations, and the skill level that the marching band brings to the field. For many fans, this homage stands out as a creative triumph and showcases a unique way of sharing music.
The Pride really delivers with this Zelda segment. The band chose to play their own rendition of the Main Theme, a melody that is easily recognizable by all Zelda fans, no matter what titles they have played. The brass section delivers their part with precision and power, not a single one sharp or flat, keeping time by watching the drum major. The woodwinds on the other hand offer softer sounds, adding to the light nature to the song. Behind it all is the percussion who keeps a steady rhythm and pace, never deviating from the flow which allows for the entire band to keep moving at the same speed. This performance takes the audience on a trip into the world of Hyrule.
Another way they bring the audience along with them on this adventure is through visuals. Formations included the Triforce, Epona, the Hylian crest, and the Master Sword. These movements are so fluid and dynamic that they elicit thunderous applause throughout the stadium. The formations are topped off by the color guard who tosses various pieces of equipment such as sabers, rifles, and flags.
The Pride of Oklahoma’s commitment to a superior-level performance is evident throughout their whole performance and the Zelda segment demonstrates their ability to deliver an amazing marching show based on multiple sources of music. The band highlights all the amazing aspects of what it means to perform, to be able to multitask, and how to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Ultimately, this 2012 show is more than just some halftime performance: it’s a display of storytelling, music, and celebrating a shared experience. The Pride of Oklahoma demonstrates how a marching band can transcend the traditional boundaries of a concert, creating a performance that isn’t only entertaining, but also meaningful. The Pride inspires countless other marching bands to do the same; to take something and make it their own. It is obvious that this will continue to inspire people to go out and be creative with the pieces that they play.
