South Lakes’ Marching Band sweeps 2025 competitions, sets sights on Pearl Harbor Parade

by Mark Hazlin, Guest Writer

Photo contributed by SLHS Marching Band

The South Lakes High School Spirit of Reston marching band capped an undefeated 2025 competition run with top honors at its state assessment in October, and is now preparing to represent Virginia at the national Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Dec. 7 in Hawaii.

The band placed first in three contests in the Virginia Marching Band Coalition (VMBC) circuit this fall: Best Music, Best Visual Effect, Best General Effect, and Best Percussion categories at both the Sept. 27 Herndon Showcase and the Oct. 4 Rock Ridge Show on Oct. 4. The band also swept all music, visual, percussion, and guard categories for the 4a division at the Oct. 18 Oakton Classic. Their season reached a new height when the group earned a “Superior” rating—the highest possible distinction—at the statewide Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) assessment on Oct. 25, ranking their music and marching skills among the best in the state.

“Every award is the result of hours of rehearsal, teamwork, and persistence,” Band Director Grayson Fore said. “This year’s theme, ‘Sirens Fury,’ challenged the band musically and theatrically, and they rose to meet that challenge with passion.”

The 2025 show, “Sirens Fury,” is a dramatic, story-driven program that weaves together pieces like “Cape Fear Main Title,” “Medea’s Dance of Vengeance,” and selections from Shostakovich and Alan Silvestri, telling the tale of a band of sailors who steal the magic harp that gives the aquatic sirens their haunting voices.

The program is anchored by Drum Majors Jaayla Davidson and Brooke Flora, along with students from each ensemble including Drumline Captain Matthew Hazlin, Front Ensemble Captains Sophia Picco and Eric Loizeaux, Guard Captain Natalie Taranova, and Horn Line Captains Ben Villarrubia and Charlotte Hamilton.

The band’s accomplishments stretch beyond competitions. Excitement is building for December’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu. South Lakes will join the U.S. Marine Corps Pacific Band and other ensembles from around the country, offering students a rare chance to perform on a national stage while taking part in a historic event.

Known as “The Best Band in the Land,” South Lakes will once again herald Santa Claus’ arrival at the annual 2025 Reston Town Center Holiday Parade the day after Thanksgiving. Throughout the year, they also support football games, school spirit events, and signature community gatherings in Reston.

The SLHS concert season opens at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in the school’s auditorium; the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will be featured.