With No Plans for A Trip to Sacramento, 7 Intrepid San Marino Band Members Took It Upon Themselves to Toot the Titans’ Horns at State Championship Game
In a physical and musical sense, the seven young men and women were swallowed whole inside 21,195-seat Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State University at the CIF State championship football game.
Metaphorically, however, they owned the place, the strains of San Marino High School’s fight song defiantly piercing the cold air, their attitude mirroring that of the Titans on the field, valiantly staving off the inevitable.
“You guys may have been tiny, but you were mighty!” said senior Felicia Wang in a social media post.
San Marino’s State championship contest against eventual winner Modesto Central Catholic was by far the latest football game played in school history, kicking off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19: less than a week before Christmas and more than a day after the start of winter break. With no plans to transport the entire marching band to the affair, Josh Chang, Jeremy Trinh, Andy Lee, Spencer Rooke, Julian Lehr-Bryant, Claire Weinberger, Keith Ng and Alexander Hung took it upon themselves to travel the 394.6 miles to support their team. And, more importantly, represent their school.
“I was disappointed when I heard that band was not going to Sacramento,” said Claire, a senior, who plays the flute. “I became especially upset knowing cheer was going and yet band was not. My mom and I had joked about driving up to Sacramento and so when I told my friends my potential plans, they were eager to join us. We decided after unsuccessfully trying to convince the rest of the band to rent a bus and go up that it would be a good idea to just go up on our own. We were small but mighty. It was such an unforgettable experience and I’m glad we went.”
Senior Keith Ng packed his flute and joined the caravan.
“We started looking at costs of airplane tickets, Greyhound tickets, and even splitting a private bus,” Keith said. “It was very nice that tons of people came over to thank us, even though we thought we sounded bad because of our small numbers. It was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the trip. I’ve never had people come up and give such nice, heartfelt compliments.”
The carpool left San Marino at 9 on Saturday morning and departed on Sunday at 10 a.m. Claire’s mom served as chaperone, of sorts. They shared two hotel rooms and split the costs of gas and meals – all out of their own money. Money well spent, it would seem.
“It has always been a tradition for the band to support the football team, no matter where they travel,” said senior Jeremy Trinh, who plays the trombone and serves as Drum Major. “Oftentimes, band members are the only students that attend the game. When I found out that the band wasn’t going, I decided to talk with friends to organize rides to the Sacramento game. Although there were only a few of us that went on this mini-trip, I feel many people that night appreciated the support band members gave.”
Andy Lee – a senior who plays mellophone – was initially frustrated that the entire band was not transported to Sacramento for the game, but eventually seemed to find meaning in the experience.
“None of us really expected to go,” said Lee. “As it is, we went and I am so happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to share in this historic event and represent the marching band.”
As is often the case, adversity galvanized the group.
“On that trip, I found a new kind of school spirit in me,” said Keith. “Playing my instrument in near freezing weather alongside my friends is definitely an experience I’ll never forget. We still have a special Facebook chat for ‘The Sacramento Crew.’”
