Warsaw Community High School band students are no strangers to the tune of success. The band, which has participated at the state level the past 2 years in a row, will once again travel to the state competition to wow audiences with their performance, “Saturn Returns.”

“It’s based on the astrological idea that Saturn takes 29 years to complete its orbit,” explained WCHS Band Director Mickey Ratliff. “Each time Saturn completes its orbit, you’re reaching an important point in your life. Our show is based on the progression from birth to those points.”

The first piece in WCHS Band’s routine is called “Saturn Returns” and represents the starting point of one’s life. The second movement represents a phase of life the band kids are all too familiar with: adolescence.

“We represent that with a little love story,” said Ratliff. “The last third of the show is reaching full maturity when Saturn returns.”

Two years ago, the Indiana State School Music Association established the Scholastic Class. There are two categories in which a school can compete, which is dependent on the size of the band.

WCHS Marching Band went the Scholastic Class State Finals last year, and it will be returning again this year.

Nearly 100 music-minded WCHS students will descend upon Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis to compete against the best Hoosier high school marching bands. On Saturday, Oct. 25, WCHS will face off against 34 other bands for a chance to perform an exhibition at the 42nd Annual Indiana State Marching Band Finals, to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8.

And the dedicated kids of the WCHS Marching Band have every intention of playing Lucas Oil Stadium. “We’re totally going to win,” said one of the band’s trumpet players at a practice on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

WCHS will be performing at 9:11 p.m. on Saturday. Admission for the Scholastic Finals event is $7 for adults and $5 for students and preschoolers. For a full schedule of bands, visit www.issma.net.