It’s both an exciting and daunting challenge—stepping into the role of one of the marching band directors here at Moanalua High School. With Moanalua’s well-known reputation for excellence comes the weight of expectation—especially for an alumnus who once marched with the band. “It’s very scary,” admits the new director, Andrew Ching, “but I also feel very fortunate because I have all of the other directors looking out for me and teaching me how things are supposed to be done here.”
The director is determined to maintain the great things already happening within the marching band. “I don’t want to destroy or take away from the great things that are already happening,” says Mr. Ching, but he is ready to push the boundaries of the band by trying new things, even if they haven’t been attempted before. “What I hope is that we can get us looking at trying out different types of shows and doing different types of routines.”
When asked how he builds upon the strengths of the band, the director immediately mentions the high level of performance at Moanalua High School and its great reputation. “I want students to believe that there is more that can be done,” but the director stresses that students must take the initiative in their progress. “Overcoming the challenges is something that we cannot make them do; they have to do it themselves,” he adds, insisting on instilling confidence and motivation. A student here at Moanalua, Harley Sagucio, commented, “He’s like our little cheerleader. He’s always standing on the sidelines cheering for us. He’s willing to have convos with us and find ways to improve on what we’re doing.”
So far, the director’s experience working with the students has been overwhelmingly positive. “They’ve been amazing,” he says, acknowledging the patience, understanding, and enthusiasm of the students. He appreciates the Aloha spirit within the marching band. Joseph Bui mentioned, “He also takes the time to hear out individuals, whether it be talking story or giving advice. You can really tell that he cares about all his students in a spiral way. This personal connection has a way of inspiring people to do better.”
“When I push them, they push back,” he exclaims. For the students, this was crucial in their preparation for the Menehune Classic, as motivation and high energy are essential. For the new director, Andrew Ching, the Menehune Classic is not about competition but about educational experience and growth, not rankings. “It’s not about first or last place; what we’re trying to do is give every school across the island an opportunity to get feedback on how to refine and improve their performance,” he says. This emphasis on personal and musical development sets this event apart. This aligns with the director’s long-term vision of unlocking the students’ potential both musically and personally. “By challenging themselves beyond what they thought was possible, students discover new abilities and confidence that serve them well beyond the field,” the director describes.
