The Roseville High School band placed first in their division in each of their first competitions this season. Although the band dropped to division A this year because of a drop in band members, their scores surpass those of larger bands in higher divisions.

Tiger Marching Band drum major Amanda Lopes also placed second out of 22 drum majors in the band’s competition at Del Oro, scoring a 90 out of 100.

According to Lopes, her second place rank in the competition was unexpected and inspired her to strive improve even further.

“It wasn’t [my] cleanest performance personally,” Lopes said. “But it definitely motivated me more to keep pushing myself and like getting second now I know I can do it. And I’m more motivated to go for first than I was before.”

Lopes said the band reflects each other’s energy and excitement while competing, and their unity boosts their performance.

“I see them looking up at me and I can feel the energy in their excitement, and that boosts my energy and my performance, we just feed off each other with our energy,” Lopes said.

According to Lopes, the dedication of the band enthusiasm of the band is what she depends on to compete.

“Without them and their hard work and commitment to the band program itself, we would be nowhere and I would be nowhere,” Lopes said. “I definitely rely on them.”

Lopes also attributes the time she has spent practicing and learning from experienced Drum Majors to her success this year.

Lopes pursued camps and outside practice to become a drum major. According to Lopes, being in an environment with skilled and professional drum majors is inspirational.

“I’ve gotten feedback from people who’ve professionally done drumming majors and who are judges and so I just try to take all of the feedback I get and keep pushing myself,” Lopes said.

According to RHS Band director Matt Koutney, Lopes’ work ethic and and dedication to improvement is what makes her a stand out drum major.

“She’s really great, she’s aware of all the small details that we talk about and she takes it to heart and she practices it and she’s a perfectionist,” Koutney said. “It’s never quite good enough for her.”

According to Lopes, her success in the band’s last performance gives her the confidence and motivation to continue to succeed and improve at the band’s final competition is at Folsom high school on Oct. 29.