Blue Band Marching Band

Congratulations to the students in 7th and 8th grade who spent a whole weekend at UMKC for the UMKC Honor Band and Orchestra. These students were nominated by their peers and teachers and selected by the UMKC staff. The nominees had to perform a solo piece to audition for seating. There were more than 25 other local middle schools participating in this festival, and Prairie Star did quite well with a whopping 13 students accepted to the festival.

Many people believe marching band is not a sport because it involves people playing music. Since people are playing music, they think it is more of an art than a sport. It is true that we people in a marching band are playing music, but there is a lot more that they do besides playing music. I have so far participated in marching band for six years, five in middle school and high school and one year in college. Even though not all marching bands compete, it should still be considered a sport for the ones that do.

Amanda Ard, freshman, is involved in the Red White Brigade band at Fort Osage High School. She plays the clarinet, and has been in band for four years. During her eighth grade school year, she got to participate in two festivals, one held at Blue Springs South and one held at Worlds of Fun. “It’s kind of nerve wracking because there are a lot of people and schools, and you don't get to see the judges, but I can shut them out. Being with the team and knowing we’ll do good helps,” says Ard.

In 1995, DSU’s band traveled to England to perform for the Queen and the people of England for the New Years day parade. It was a wonderful performance to be remembered forever. Since then, the band has performed at many more major venues across the world. They performed in the inaugural parade for President Barack Obama, as well as the MLK parade. The band is conducted by band director Randolph J. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is 61 years old and has 13 years of experience as a college band director as well as 11 years as a high school band director. He has lead the band through many great performances.

The Evergreen Marching Band and Colorguard (EMBC) has stewed in accomplishment, success, and hard work, for more than two decades. People don’t know, that we 're not just a normal halftime marching band--we are a competitive marching band. Like any football, drill, or soccer team, EMBC strives to compete amongst the greats. For a couple decades, EMBC has marched to success and we don 't want to stop now; however, the competitive program was close to being slashed this year, due to lack of funds. Students and parents raged at the thought of no competitive season. Competing is the best part for everyone in this program. If we lost that it wouldn’t be as much fun. We were so far in debt that if we couldn 't raise enough money, it would 've been game over.

While participating in marching band, I have also gained many new experiences, friendships, principles, and musician skills. Deciphering music can be a challenge year to year, and each year the music has continued to expand my capabilities as a musician. Apart from the musical component, marching band has taught me true meaning of teamwork to achieve a common goal. Specifically during the last marching season, I learned the importance of

You can tell a lot about a school by their marching band. At the beginning of my freshman year, I had the privilege of attending a Wisconsin Badger game at Camp Randall and it was an awesome experience. I have long forgotten the logistics of the game itself, but I still remember the marching band. With their high knees perfectly in step, their tight spins perfectly in time, and their shining silver instruments perfectly in position, the excitement they brought to the crowd was undeniable. I easily envisioned myself playing “On Wisconsin” on the field, hyping up fans with my music. After I learned flutes were not a part of Madison’s traditional style marching band, I decided to pick up playing the trumpet because I knew that one day, if I ever

Walking up and down the two rows of hornline and drumline members at our very first show whispering encouragements and fixing aussies, I watched the terror consume face as you and those around you were trying to focus on what was about to happen. After that 9 minute show bursting with chaos and confusion, I remember coming off the field with shaky knees and hearing all sorts of positive whispers and seeing your wide, excited eyes. At that moment, you gave me hope for this season.

“Drum major is your band ready?” if you haven’t heard this you must not be in marching band, and you most definitely haven’t lived in the color of music. Music has brought color in my life like you wouldn’t believe! I finally realized this at state. Crowds roaring for their home band, band moms screaming their lungs out for their kids, it’s where everyone gets to participate no matter how good you are, and you finally find meaning through music. Yeah it’s pretty great, and I’ll share my wonderful experience with you.

The Marching Band program of the Greece Central School District (GCSD) provides every child with the opportunity to perform and compete in a unique way. Through the acquisition of specific knowledge, skills and the development of appropriate disciplines, these experiences

As popularised by the 1999 film “American Pie,” nearly everyone is familiar with the phrase “this one time at band camp,” followed by some hilarious, vulgar, or downright ridiculous tale that happened under the guise of a week of musical performance. However, fewer can claim to have actually experienced band camp and what it has to offer — fortunately, I am one of those few. Throughout my four years of marching band, performing on the sousaphone, I have had countless moments that have shaped me into the individual I am; however, for the sake of concision, it seems most fitting to discuss my very first band camp, a month prior to beginning high school as a freshman. It would be unreasonable to not discuss the social impact of that week. Before

The band won this year’s regional contest, and has earned the nickname “The Pride of Penzville”.

Upon completion of my sophomore year, I got a letter apprising me of my recommendation for the Oregon Ambassadors of Music. After paying a fairly sizeable amount of money and finalizing a tremendous amount of paperwork, I was on my way to Europe with other young musicians from Oregon. We had prepared an unmistakably American repertoire, featuring pieces such as Shenandoah and The Stars and Stripes. We had performances in illustrious cities such as London and Rothenberg, but our concert in

Brass bands survived and thrived by incorporating popular music. Contemporary brass bands are no exemption to this either. This chapter examines the particular pieces that have been a part of the repertoire since the turn of the twentieth century. It will concentrate on how the band members used popular music into their own style to fit the band's instrumentation, technique and style.

Becoming a member of the Penn State Blue Band was the ultimate experience that gave me total confidence. The Blue Band has been rated as the #1 college or university marching band in the country; it has a very superior reputation. I had wanted to be a member of this band