Colton High School Marching Band

From the Email InBox:

The Colton High School

Marching Band

!!!Won Sweepstakes !!!

at the Barstow High School Invitational Band Competition.

(That means they won over all 15 bands, including bands that have more members.)

15 High School Bands from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties participated in the event. In spite of heavy strong dust blowing winds the various bands performed their routines with determination and skill.

Colton High School Marching Band played the music selection well, and their movements on the field were sharp and precise. There show was performed to the highest degree of accuracy amongst the various performances, both musically and marching techniques. The band members struggled to keep hats with plumes on their heads, yet their precision in performing the show as designed was evident in their performance.

Fontana High School had perhaps the most "Entertainment Value" as their music selection was made up of music the audience can recognize and hum. There was even a super surprise,, ...

The host band not being in the competition should also be noted. Barstow High School has over 150 band members on the field.

Their Bright Red and Gold Uniforms were impressive and added to the effect of their being a presence on the field, even before they began to play.
They have several drum majors (student directors) one of which was particularly athletic and did an impressive gymnastic run with flips and all.

Barstow High School also showed how to dress a band when there aren't enough uniforms to go around. Some of the sections were clad in different but coordinated outfits. It would be ideal to have all the band in the same uniforms. However for the theme of the show, and perhaps the lack of uniforms the sectional costumes or uniforms clearly allows for more people to participate, and did not detract from the show value.

Each band's performance demonstrated hours of practice and effort on the part of the students. Band Directors chose the music and design the show. The student's performance of the Directors show is then evaluated.

Band sizes varied from 30 members to over 150 members on the field. On this windy day the more the better, and the brighter the uniform the bigger the visual impact, were all concepts that held true in terms of the "entertainment", and "enjoyment" factor in the audience's view. The variables used to "Judge" a band performance is different from those used by the casual observer. The most entertaining show may not win a competition. What wins a competition is precision in the performance of the music, and the marching elements.

The sound of the music was being blown away from the audience. At times adapting to the wind was comical. Flag Teams struggled with big flags in a strong wind. Props once used and placed down on the field would blow from mid field to the end zone. The students all adapted and went on with the show.

If you ever have the chance to attend a band competition of this type you may note that there are no penalty flags, major injuries, and the number of student hours contributed to the effort is significant. Parents, and competing band members cheer the other bands during and after each performance.

Educational studies indicate that band members are the least likely to drop out of school, and are amongst the highest achievers in academics.

Perhaps there should be a slogan... No kid left out of band.... Added to no kid left behind.

Keep the tone..... And Pitch Pitch Pitch.. Support Arts in School's