Mr. Gatti's Showdown: A look into the Richardson rivalry's halftime performers

GattisShowdown2The Richardson vs. Pearce rivalry promises to be an intense game on the field, but the school’s bands split the annual halftime performance and actually participate as a combined unit at different events throughout the year. Drum majors Austin Townsend (Richardson) and Lindsay Harmon (Pearce) both mentioned the respect that the bands have for each other, and Harmon described the bands as very friendly rivals. For the band, the rivalry is drastically different than the one seen on the football field. “Pearce has always been an extremely competitive band, and they’ve kind of kept us on our toes for our marching competitions,” Townsend said. “It’s not only a pleasure to see them on the field, but it’s a distinct honor to showcase our own talent and musical stewardship at the same time.” The success of the two bands is largely due to the dedication that the programs have to their preparation. Both Harmon and Townsend said that their units meet around 6:30 in the morning, and stay well after school ends to continue practicing marching and playing their instruments. Harmon said that conditioning during summer band camp is important for band members to be in shape for their marching performances during the season, and that yoga can help as well. For Townsend and the Richardson band, the notion that band isn’t an athletic competition is a blown off as a joke. “We joke about how we’re not considered an athletic contribution to the school, but we really are,” Townsend said. “We’re out here before the football team is even out here in the mornings.” While the two football teams may have the spotlight for 48-minutes on the field, the 30-minute halftime is the biggest moment of the week for the band. That’s when all of the hours of practicing marching and playing culminate into the halftime show. “Halftime is the peak for the bands,” Harmon said. “It shows parents and the community what we have been working on all week.” But it’s not all about the halftime show. Both have strong relationships with the football team as they serve as the number one fans – and hype men – during the games. Harmon said that support is reciprocal, as the football team supports the band at UIL marching competitions. “We have an awesome relationship both with the football coaches and the team,” Townsend said. “They really support the band. It’s awesome to get that kind of respect from our athletic department to know that they appreciate the fine arts to the level they do. It makes us feel fulfilled in what we do.” When Richardson and Pearce meet on the football field again Friday night, the game will likely be a scrappy one. But at halftime, the longstanding rivalry will take a friendly – and musical – twist. “It’s really awesome to get to watch two band programs unfold with what they are doing different in terms of their competition shows, but also to see the different dynamics of the players and drum majors,” Townsend said.