As the Cypress High School Band’s fall season camde to an end, they attended their final parade and percussion competition ever at the Arcadia Festival of Bands. On November 22, 2025, the band won third place in their division with a score of 92.75. On the same day, percussion participated in a separate competition, scoring 85.50 and securing first place. 

Band director James Quirion has watched over the class of 2026. Quirion said, “I’ve watched everybody grow, and it’s great to watch the leaders and seniors grow musically.” What stands out to him the most is how much the seniors stepped up as leaders when planning the social contract.

Senior Battery captain Owen O’Gara has always been into music, from playing piano for eleven years, percussion for six, and battery for four. His favorite memory from band was during his freshman year when he found out they got first place at the Arcadia competition. “It was good to have [it] as a first-year memory.” 

Drum major Ian Hong has been playing the tuba for five years. His motivation for staying in the band was for the people he met along the way. Hong said, “The connections we’re able to make with each other are something truly special.” Hong’s favorite memory was in 2023 when they made it to the championships for their division for the first time in six years. He was so excited when he heard the news, “We were all screaming and cheering, it was such a good time.”

Junior Kaylynn Tak said, “We’ve improved a lot over these past few years I’ve been at Cypress, and it’s been rewarding to see us come so far.”