Schools
Panther Band Wins Top Prize At Fleet Week Competition
Band program receives cash prize from San Francisco Fleet Week Association
The Panther Band successfully defended their crown at the Second Annual as part of Fleet Week on Monday, October 10. Along with the prestige and trophy, the Panther Band brought home a check for $10,000 to go directly into their band program.
It all started under the cover of pre-dawn darkness, when the awoke Monday and silently traveled to Golden Gate Park with a special mission: to defend their title. Twelve schools applied for the chance to compete, and the Panther band secured one of the six coveted competition slots.
The outdoor contest fell victim to the uninvited guest of non-stop rain. The majestic outdoor Music Concourse shell does wonders to propel music, but was unable to offer protection from the elements. Thus, weather became a factor for mood and sound, but once again, all six schools impressed the adults with their resiliency and mettle.
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The Panthers took the stage first, which was a mixed blessing. This brought pressure to stay memorable for two hours, but also meant less time spent lingering in the drizzle, awaiting their turn on stage.
Benicia performed three pieces. The first, Abram's Pursuit, galloped boldly out of the gate. The middle song Rest was tinged with serenity, with the final wrap being their vigorous Sarafand March. “I liked how the first song was strong, with the middle one being soft to show our flexibility,” said Booster parent Kim Hicks. The Panther Band prides itself on being able to memorize their pieces, and thus stood out by the absence of sheet music obstructing their faces. This was no small feat, since they had 20 minutes of music to perform.
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Everyone, parent and musician alike, became a self-contained island as the sodden morning progressed. They were wrapped in plastic shells, tucking equipment and uniforms close to the body, heads down, making it hard to feel connected to the whole community of music lovers there. Some schools had to wait for over an hour in the rain for their turn to play. This showed the true grit typical of a high school band.
However, several bright spots emerged. All schools brought their curve balls by playing gregarious songs like “Wooly Bully” and a bit of Katy Perry in breakout pieces very different from typical marching band fodder. When the Marine Party Band came on during intermission, they brought a little Bad Romance with them. Their trumpet soloist was like a flame thrower, tossing warmth and good cheer into the crowd again, reconnecting everyone into a common entity once more.
The last act was the most moving. All six high school bands gathered on stage; six hundred musicians assembled in under one minute after just meeting that morning, to play the national march, The Stars and Stripes Forever, with the Marine Band. The students knew how special it was to share a common bond with each other and with members of the military.
Finally, award moment arrived. Three judges (two Marine Corps members and one civilian musician) revealed their final decisions to six worthy schools and conferred First Place honors to Benicia. In the esteemed moment, the trophy was delivered by Marine Corps officers and, as an even bigger surprise, former Secretary of State, George Shultz and his wife Charlotte.
Along with claiming the top honor, Benicia also garnered approval from competing schools. “You guys (Benicia) are terrifying! Your reputation is everything. It was an honor to perform with you.”
Joe Ellett, Panther Booster summed it up perfectly. “Trophies are one thing, but to have the respect of other bands is another.”
The trophy also came with the hefty cash award. Since band coffers only grow from parent or community donations, funds like this are vital to the life of a band program. It would take hundreds of parent and student fundraising hours to raise these types of funds. This time however, the Benicia students didn’t have to work a single concession stand or sell flower bulbs, wash a car or take over a pizza restaurant. They earned money doing what they do best, making music.
You’ll have a chance to enjoy their live music as they march in the down First Street on Wednesday night, October 12.