SAN ANTONIO — Somerset Academy Collegiate is bringing more spirit to the school this year with its first ever Mighty Bear Marching Band.
They are now the first and only competitive charter marching band in the San Antonio area.
Somerset Academy Collegiate Director of Music, Daniel Quintana said this has been a seven-month process to gather 45 students interested in marching and perform in the community.
The students have been practicing in different groups over the last month learning the fundamentals of marching.
They're in their official band camp this week working together.
Lily Salazar is a woodwind section leader who's entering her junior year.
She's been playing saxophone for two years and said this is really going to be a game changer in her high school experience and the community.
"I think it will help with the school pride because I love school pride so much. I'm wearing my school shirt, I wear my school colors. I'm looking forward to performing and just feeling the spirit," Salazar said.
Somerset Academy Collegiate is going to compete in the 3A band division for its size later this year.
Their show's theme this year is Heavy Metal, so be sure to look out for electric guitar solos.
Quintana is new to Somerset Academy and said he's proud to jumpstart this program.
"There's no other feeling than starting something from, you know, what we call scratch, right? You get to design the uniforms, you get to order the instruments, you get to put the crew in place that you want. So ultimately, if I were to go anywhere else, there'd be something already running," Quintana said.
Quintana said they've also created a brand new mariachi program. His next goal is to launch a jazz band.
The band plans to perform at their first football game on August 23.
Somerset Academy Collegiate plans to compete in the 3A band division in the regional competition later in the fall.