During a recent rivalry game between the Powell Panthers and the Cody Broncs, a decision was made to bring in the two respective bands to play together.

Although it was a shock to the audience, the band members knew in advance.

“I brought up the idea to combine the bands,” Cody Band director Mr. Wade French said. “Cody band kids have been asking me for years to take our band over to the Cody v. Powell football game. I planned it early enough, reaching out to Mr. Fabela and our Activity Directors, and getting it on our calendar so that we could make it happen.”

Some preparation was made on both sides to create the best combined sound.

“I provided parts for our school song and he sent me parts for theirs,” Powell Band director Mr. John Fabela said. “We also compared songs that we both play at football games.”

Players noticed a difference in not only the level of noise but also the quality.

“I was very happy with our band playing with Cody’s,” junior clarinet player Justin Dusenberry said. “It was nice to play a band that had such a big sound… I had a lot of fun playing with a big band and I thought we sounded very good. I had met this one really nice piccolo player, Bea.”

Cody sophomore and flute section leader Beatrice Sandvik commented on the knowledge this gave both bands as a whole.

“I think this experience helped our band with playing with new people who might play a little different to us,” Sandvik said. “Our future relationship with the Powell band will be closer than it was but we’ll definitely keep the competitive spirit.”

Though some have a positive opinion on the rivalry, others take a slightly different view.

“I have mixed feelings on combining the band,” senior flute player Jenessa Polson said. “On the one hand, it was so much fun being able to play with such a big band. However, playing with the enemy caused some contention on both sides.”

Even with a loss for Powell, respect on both sides remained. The competition settled while the bands interacted with each other and the music.

 “We love the rivalry here in Park County, but we also love to see kids rise above it,” French said. “The maturity to combine bands shows how music unites us and how great our students are… Overall we had a fantastic time and would do it again in a second. We have made some really great memories over the years playing in Powell at Cody-Powell games, this game was no different.”