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WATERFORD-For his first full-time job after college, Waterford band director John Laswell was charged with trying to fill the footsteps of a director who had led the district's marching band to state competition for all of his 13 years in the position.

There were nerves on his part, Laswell said, and a lot of questions as to whether the band would still make it to states without former director Andy Sigman.

And then he met the members of Waterford's band.

"I honestly had never seen a band work as hard as these kids work for me," Laswell said. "There's only 22 members and the sound they produce is amazing. I knew we had something special."

Under Laswell's direction this season, the band continued on as the little band that could, beating much larger schools and -yes-qualifying for the state competition once again.

Competing Nov. 1 at the University of Dayton, the band earned a Superior rating, following a season of earning the highest ratings in their class at each competition.

"We had been a little scared to have someone new," said senior Aaron Brooker, 17, who has been part of the band for six years. "We thought he might change things too much. After we qualified for states, I felt like 'OK, we're still good.'"

It started to feel like there was a real partnership between the new director and the band after just a few competitions, said senior Maggie Lawlor, 18.

"It's been different because Mr. Sigman was always like this goofy guy and Mr. Laswell is more mellow," she said. "But as a band we've really found our niche and we're starting to be known more for our music than for marching...no one wants to watch a band march when what they're playing isn't good."

Laswell says he feels lucky to have walked into a program he's dubbed "small but mighty."

"The administration has been very supportive but there was a lot of self-imposed pressure coming in," he said. "I knew I had to qualify for state and it was really stressful until we did. At that point the kids felt good and knew that this guy could do it, too."

Laswell said he's well aware that his personality is much different than that of his predecessor, who moved onto a larger program at Gallia Academy in the Gallipolis City district in July.

"He's much more laid back," said senior band member Greg Brantmeier, 18.

Sigman was more extroverted, said Laswell.

"He's the one you could see on the sidelines yelling," he said. "That's not my style. But we're similar in that we expect results."

The results from Laswell's first marching band season in Waterford provided a good way to end six years of playing, marching and succeeding for the seniors, said Lawlor.

"We're always the smallest competitor and we've beaten some pretty big bands," she said. "It's a great accomplishment. And this season was a good way to end my band career. It ended on a good note."