Exponentially.

That’s the term Minju Kim used to describe how much interest has increased in the Southlake Carroll Dragon Band since her freshman year.

“Post-COVID, the band has been growing exponentially,” said Kim, who is entering her senior year and is one of five drum majors. “The attention that we get from the crowds has changed significantly from my freshman year. 

“It’s been cool to see the whole band grow upward like that.”

Marching bands have always been part of the storied Friday Night Lights tradition throughout Texas high school football. Of late, though, the bands are becoming more and more popular. A telling sign is the sheer number of students who are participating in band these days.

Carroll has 260 students in the band, a number that is similar to several other Class 6A schools. In order to get that many moving parts in sync, the band is putting in just as much preparation time as the football team is during fall camp.

“It’s a lot of work,” said Chloé Blanchard, a senior drum major. “We go every day, most days in the summer 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We had a ‘Super Saturday’ this year to make up some time and learn more of the show, so we woke up at like 7 a.m. Saturday and came to the school and had a rehearsal.

“But everybody is always very pumped about band. Everybody has an amazing attitude about it, always wanting to get better. It’s a great environment to be in.”

The biggest draw for the students is being part of something spectacular that excites and energizes fans throughout the game. The halftime show is the signature piece, of course, and Carroll is stepping up its game this season.

Football fans will get to see portions of the band’s show called “Aquarium,” an underwater themed performance with plenty of props and bubbles. For those interested in seeing the production in its entirety, the band has multiple marching competitions on Saturdays throughout the fall.

“The show is, in my opinion, one of the coolest ones we’ve done in recent history,” senior drum major Johnathan Ewaida said. “I think the work on the field will be a testament to how much effort we’ve put in.”

Added junior drum major Malak Almasry: “I think the show is going to be really cool, especially with all the changes we’ve been making. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

During the game, fans should expect the band to play faster, louder, shorter bursts of music similar to a college football game. It’s all about keeping fans energized and engaged.

It’s a two-way street, too, as the band members love playing in front of a packed house.

“It’s a really good feeling,” junior drum major Mayli Reinke said. “Even if they’re not into music or band, it’s cool that they’re exposed to what we do. We also have a lot of supportive parents who come to every game and are really invested.”

At the end of the day, it comes back to tradition, and marching bands are ingrained in what Friday Night Lights is all about. The Carroll community understands that well given the support it has shown in recent years.

“There’s a synergy between the band, the students, the football team and the crowd,” said Ken Johnson, Carroll ISD’s director of bands. “Coach [Riley] Dodge’s enthusiasm and animation help engage everyone, and we feed off that energy.”