Garinger High School’s Blue Funk Sound Machine is bringing its high energy, sound and dance moves to the American Legion Memorial Stadium as the band was named the official band for the Carolina Ascent FC.

The band made its debut at the team’s home opener on Saturday, Aug. 29.

“So every rehearsal, we worked really hard to get to where we’re at now,” said Casey Diaz, a 10th grader at Garinger and section leader. “We put a lot of effort into learning our music and making sure our dances are in sync. We worked really hard to get here today and I think it paid off really well. I think we did an amazing job.” 

“We’re right behind the crowd, pushing out sound to the whole stadium,” said band director Chevis Anderson. “The students kept it hype the entire time. They were driving with the dance moves, with the chants and their instruments. They put out the sound, the joy and the excitement for the entire crowd.”

The season-long partnership brings together professional women’s soccer and Garinger musicians for an opportunity for students to gain professional performance experience and introduce Carolina Ascent and professional women’s soccer to more students and families in the community.

Anderson remembered how excited the students were to learn that they were selected.

“All I heard was roars and yells in the classroom,” Anderson said with a smile.

Diaz said this was a “big step” for the band, and that they put a lot of time and effort into their rehearsals. Senior Johnston Romero, band captain and section leader, said that band has had a tremendous impact on his life, and he’s proud that they were chosen as the band to play for the professional team.

Romero said it was fun being able to connect with the audience in the stadium and see them dance along and chant with the music.

“It was amazing,” said Romero. “We saw them dancing and trying to copy the dances we have. They were interacting with us and we felt happy and more confident.”

The Blue Funk Sound Machine will perform during pregame, halftime and postgame activities at the home matches.

“I can’t even say in words how proud I am of my students because, like I said, from 6 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the evening, they’re here in school, doing their schoolwork, doing their band work and then they still have time to be students. And without them, I would just be here conducting nothing,” said Anderson. “The Blue Funk Sound Machine band is more than just a marching band. We’re a family.”