Synchronized at annual football games, under the iridescent lights, Paso Robles High School’s Marching Band strives to motivate cheerleaders, football players, and our strong community. With their unique setlists, followed by a group of twirling flags, Band has continuously expanded the spirit of our school into our community, bringing authenticity to home football games.
In 2019, driven by the idea of searching for something beyond an ordinary job, Humberto Cera found himself destined to become the PRHS Band Director. With the passion and leadership which came from being a Director, Cera has made it his priority to make this program efficiently run. With the help of the elementary schools and our junior high, Cera found that more and more students were bound to engage with band with more programs for younger students.
“I think the growth is very positive; the students really helped push that. They see a group of 20 people doing something, it doesn’t matter what they’re doing or how simple it is, all of a sudden people ask themselves; What is that? What’s going on over there?” Cera said.
As new band members are engaging to the program, with more to come the following years, overpopulation has struck the band and created a new era for the program. With over 60 students in the band, there are now two periods which allow more students to fit the band class into their schedule. Benefited by more periods, PRHS Color Guard was also permitted to join the class, leading to efficiency in performances and engagement with the band.
“Now that I have more students interested in band, the community is just asking us to do more and more things,” Cera said. With the annual competition in San Luis Obispo, Band has additionally been invited to participate in a new competition in Selma, on October 26, 2024.
With the growth of the band deriving from the guidance of Cera, many students have grown alongside each other, improving their instrumental skills through the years. The band’s 2021 marching season consisted of a small group, only 12 freshmen, now seniors, have been through it all; one of which being Brennan Anderson.
With siblings of Anderson partaking in the band in past years, Anderson was inspired to join the band. Progressively improving, Anderson noticed the opportunities in performance increasing that the band had to offer. This year, his younger brother, Levi Anderson, has joined the band, creating a tradition among his siblings and new accomplishments for generations to enjoy.
“Ever since Humberto Cera started working as our Band Director, he has done a great job of getting the band to get a lot bigger, it’s been awesome,” Anderson said.
mackenna • Oct 1, 2024 at 6:30 pm
this was a great, you’re such a great writer