Schools
Panther Band Expands Sweepstakes Reach
Departing for Merced before dawn, the band returns on a road paved with success.
The Panther Band traveled 130 miles to Golden Valley High School in Merced to compete in the 52nd Annual Central California Band Review on Saturday, November 12. They placed first in two categories, and again claimed all sweepstakes awards (sharing one sweepstakes award with Merced High School).
Shawn Walker is an active band booster parent and shared her impressions of the event. Sheri Hoffmann and Shawn Walker collaborated on this article, which chronicles a typical day through Ms. Walker's eyes.
The preparation for a band event actually starts several days early. Snacks were purchased on Thursday, as well as the prepping of uniforms and ready-up aprons; on Friday the kids practiced most of the day (when the rest of the student body enjoyed a day off); the truck was loaded Friday evening.
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A call time of 5:00am meant alarms were going off around 3-3:30am. In the dark parking lot, kids arrived carrying their tote bags, backpacks, and garment bags – with the addition of pillows and blankets for the long ride to Merced. The day would total approximately five hours of travel. The Jazz Band had to make the 2+ hour bus ride in their suits, since they performed soon after arrival.
At 9:05am, they started. As they played their three pieces, they sounded more energetic than usual. The first one, Haitian Fight Song, started off with a solo on the upright bass. Brisk trombones followed, sounding like an excerpt from the movie The Incredibles. Mr. , Band Director, stepped off to the side during all three pieces and let them “do their thing,” basically allowing them the freedom to conduct themselves. This group of kids, which included several freshmen and first time Jazz members, showed amazing team work.
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Jazz is known for the solo opportunities, and this performance was no exception. As an added bonus, there was an Outstanding Musician/Soloist Award for each band. Benicia was given two on the spot – Joseph Alagon (piano) and Liam Robertson (saxophone).
After a luxurious ten minute snack, the kids changed into their marching attire. Boosters quickly donned aprons and armed themselves with polish and rags. The boosters were ‘all-hands on deck’ to make sure the band looked their best in terms of pant length, hair and shoes.
Once in uniform, the band formed a large circle where they played the chorale, tuned notes and played the march at slow and regular speeds. Mr. Martin later said someone told him, "...watching the Panthers in that formation was like watching a clinic."
At 11:00am, they had been on the move for six hours and it was finally time to head to the beginning of the marching event. This process took 30 minutes as they stayed in formation for approximately one mile through campus and streets, and had one full practice run. In their second practice, they ‘sang’ their instruments’ parts. Some of the parents giggled as they had never before heard the ear catching vocal version. The audience gave the band applause for the full run-through.
Rounding the corner to approach the judges’ stand, the band was called to a halt by Austin Rennels, Drum Major. One onlooker was overheard saying, “Now that is what a real band should look and sound like.” Austin’s call to attention and their 85-voice response of “ONE!”, quieted the crowd and everyone started to hold their breath. He spun in silence, save for the whirl of the mace. At the conclusion of his routine, his whistle signaled the start of the fanfare portion as the flags were put in motion. They started off by doing a maneuver which exposes interior sections, similar to the opening of a window. Several other rows moved beyond formation to expand the block. “It’s my favorite part of the march this year!” Shawn said.
Benicia had a chance to observe the last four marching bands, including the host school’s exhibition performance, which had been much anticipated by the Panthers. It was a treat for the parents as well, to see and hear the worthy competition.
Meanwhile, back at base camp, everyone enjoyed an hour of downtime together as they were treated to a BBQ lunch prepared by the tireless boosters. They “eat by class;” seniors first of course. It’s a rite of passage to earn one’s spot in the buffet line.
First Place was awarded to the Jazz Band and the Drum Major; Sweepstakes for the Color Guard; and all four Sweepstakes awards for the marching portion. The freshmen were handed the trophies to escort safely back to Benicia. One band member was talking to his trophy on the bus, telling it to “please stay put and don’t fall over, please don’t break.” They take this responsibility very seriously.
It is worth noting that many other schools had larger Color Guard units. Even with the modest size of Benicia’s Guard, they were still impressive enough to win Sweepstakes. Also, both Color Guard and Drum Major were a full 2.0 points ahead of the next school, which is significant in a world where decisions are often made by tenths or hundredths of a point.
They headed home and arrived back in town the same way they left – in the dark. They were greeted by a parent with helium balloons, as she made her own victory greeting for the kids.
Dismissal in the band room took on a fun and covert air. Since production of the drama department's Twelfth Night had already begun, the band had to move about in silence and speak in whispers, staying out of the hallway. ‘Tiptoe’ was the name of the game as they unloaded the equipment. Mr. Martin pointed to the trophies and told the band, “It’s just plastic and wood, but the impressions we left on the audience are why we work so hard.” The dismissal was done in a comical whisper.
However, the noise level will rise again and belong to them this Wednesday night as they perform a free, for the community.