As the school year is coming to an end, classes are slowing down, but that doesn’t mean the student life is declining. On April 20, the Band hosted their annual band formal with tickets exclusively sold to band members and their closest friends.
Last year, the theme was western, so cowboy boots and hats filled the gym. However, this year, the Band formal took a turn in the opposite direction. The theme? Old money. Black ties, pearls, fancy cars, and plain old wealth. Everyone came adorned in their best outfits, ready to dance the night away.
“This year’s dance was more formal than last year,” Ethan Philips ’26 said. “Suits and dresses were a common theme.”
The Band formal is much different from other school dances; it’s a safe space where everyone feels welcome and comfortable. This makes it easy for all the students, as well as the chaperons to have a fun time and enjoy themselves. There also isn’t a strict dress code, so everyone can wear whatever they feel confident in.
“I always enjoy Band Formal more than the other dances because it’s so laid back and there is little stress,” Sophia Wells, ’24, said.
The dance lasted for three hours, with refreshments like xxx served throughout. As the night went on band member and their friends made new memories
“My favorite moment was probably the moment right after they announced king and queen,” Wells said. “The lights turned off, and the music turned on, [and] everyone kind of just surrounded Aidan and I. It felt really uplifting!”
Each year, representatives from each grade are elected for the Band Formal Court. The ‘Queen of Band’ was senior Sophia Wells, and ‘King of Band’ was senior Aiden Byers. Along with the king and queen, eight other band members were elected into the senior court.
“I was honestly shocked when I won Band Queen,” Wells said. “I’ve been in band for eight years, so realizing that I mattered to the organization and the students within it touched my heart.”
In addition to the senior court, two members from each other grade level won a spot. Ryan Canter and Val Martin won for the junior class. Ethan Phillips and Ayona Adekunle won sophomore representatives. And for the freshman class, Samantha Witmere, and Pierson Canter won.
“This year is my second year on band court,” Phillips said, who was on the court his freshman year as well. “To me, this shows how much my responsibilities are. If people vote for me in court then they must see something in me and [in] what I stand for.”
Overall, the Band Formal was a success. Everyone that attended spent their Saturday night with friends and fellow band members for a night to be remembered.
“It’s fun to see everyone I don’t get a chance to see often,” Natalie Nirrot ‘25 said. “It’s a really fun experience. I can’t wait for next year!”
