Sarabell Steil stood in formation, her clarinet resting in her hands, the bright stadium lights reflecting off her instrument. The crowd’s anticipation buzzed through the air. This was the moment the band had worked on all year, and for Steill, her last chance to finally beat Independence and take home first place.
Marching band wasn’t always Steil’s plan. Back when she lived in Lisbon, she focused on concert and jazz band, playing her clarinet and saxophone alongside a much smaller band. She never saw herself stepping onto a football field, let alone leading her own section through the formations. But things changed when she moved to Mount Vernon in 8th grade. At first, she was hesitant to go out for marching band but after seeing her sister Mirabell Steill (MVHS ‘22), a senior at the time, march with confidence she realized that marching just might be something that she could do too. Steil’s sister was a tremendous help to her while she was still trying to get the hang of marching band. “She’s a lot more talented than I am,” Steil said. “She was a senior and got a solo. She went to school for music. It helped to have someone who knew what they were doing so I didn’t have to wait after school and ask my teacher.”
Steel joined as a freshman, nervous but excited, unsure of what to expect. The first few weeks were a struggle Marching in sync, memorizing drill charts, and playing music while in formation. It was a whole other world from concert band because instead of being able to sit down and solely focus on her music there was physical performance involved as well. But something about playing under the lights and the thrill from the competitions made her fall in love with it. By her senior year, she had become a leader in her section, responsible for helping the other clarinet players find their rhythm. Both musically and within the band community.
This season has been Mount Vernon’s most successful yet. Their show, “Among the Stars,” had moved their audience, giving them second place at almost every completion, except for the one that mattered the most. At Waukee, they had finally beaten Independence, their longtime rivals, taking first place. Steil would never forget the moment the results were announced. All the seniors stood on the field with anticipation. When Independence was called for second place, screams echoed from Mount Vernon’s section. She could still picture the looks of disappointment from the rival band. It was a defining moment, proof that their hard work had paid off.
But marching band wasn’t just about the competition. It taught Steil patience, leadership, and the importance of teamwork. “This year I had to be in charge of my section and a lot of them are freshmen,” Steil said. “I had to try and be in charge which was hard at first, and I was probably mean to them, but I feel like at the end I learned to be patient.” At first,t she was tough on them but over time she had found her voice, gaining confidence in her ability to lead. Marching band had pushed her out of her comfort zone in ways she didn’t expect, helping her build friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
As she took a deep breath and prepared for the opening note of her last competition, she remembered the phrase Mr. Weber had always said, “Peace, Love, and Happiness.” A phrase that had become a mantra for the band. A reminder to find joy in things that they did.
The drum major raised their hands and the show began. As Steil stepped forward, clarinet in hand, the bright lights overhead. This was it, the final competition of an unforgettable season. And she wouldn’t change a moment of it.
