By: Aaron Soto

 “You open this door with the key of imagination; beyond it is another dimension, a dimension of sight, sound and of the mind. You’re crossing over into the Twilight Zone.” This speech introduces the song, Twilight Zone, as part of the Dimensions of the Cosmos theme for the 2009-2010 Marching Knights. Other songs for this year include: 12 Seconds to the Moon, Outer Limits, and Lost in Space.

    The Marching Knights are comprised of those who have band classes and others who are just interested in band.  The band consists of a horn line, percussion, color guard, and a drum line. During first semester the Marching Knights travel to other schools and participate in competitions that judge each category of the band. The band director and theme designer, Mr. Ronzel Bell, is a veteran of Knightdale High and has been  teaching band at the school since it began.

    During the competitions, the band plays a musical number while marching as one into shapes relating to the theme. These shapes are either designed by Mr. Bell or professionally written, and are changed throughout the season to fit the music. Although this might be a harder task with fewer band members than previous years, the band is hopeful. Drum major Tram Quach believes,“The size of the band is smaller, but the quality is even better.” 

    On Saturday, October 10^th the band along with the support staff left for South View High to compete in Rumble in the Jungle. Our Marching Knights took the field at 3:15. and, although he wasn’t performing, Mr. Bell was still nervous for his students. After performing, the band changed and waited until the award ceremony to see how they placed. They didn’t disappoint, taking home five trophies: first place in Color Guard, first place in Percussion , second place in Visuals and Participation, and third place Overall.

    During the week of October 17th, the Marching Knights participated in the Cape Fear Colts Classic. After taking the field, the band was able to bring home two first place trophies in Percussion and Colorguard, and gain third place. Even with all the success, the band was determined to one day bring back the first pace in Music and Overall in the next competition.

    Union Pines Band Classic was home to the next competition on October 24th, and the Marching Knights took it in stride. Not even rain could dampen the performance of the Knights as they took the field and gave it their hardest. Again the band was able to place and earned second place in Percussion, second place in Marching, and finally third place in Class A. While spirits were dampened they were not doused, and the band was even more determined then ever to bring home first place.

    It might have been Halloween, but the Marching Knights weren’t playing any tricks at the Lee County Brick Capital Classic. The band arrived early to warm up for the performance, and when they took the field they blew away the judges with a excellent performance, bringing home the most trophies this marching season has seen. They gained first place in Hornline, first place in Colorguard, first place in Percussion, first place in Marching, second place in General Effect, and at the end of the day they were awarded one last trophy: first place Overall in Class 1A. The feeling of success was high as the band rode home, and they committed to keep up this level of performance. With one last competition left for this marching season, we can all show our support to the Marching Knights and watch as they bring back more first place trophies.