What do you get when you cross a bridge with a caravan full of band kids? An afternoon of culture in San Francisco, where they were invited performers.
The 19th Annual Korean Day Culture Festival was celebrated in Union Square on Saturday, Aug. 27, and was well attended. It gave the Panthers an opportunity to perform for the general public, many of whom might not normally encounter the sounds of a high school band.
The festival's organizing committee chairman, William Kim, owns William Kim's Tae Kwon Do in Vallejo and is a Benicia resident. He is very active in the Korean community and wanted his town of Benicia represented at the festival. The Panther Band was honored to be invited.
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The Wind Ensemble and Color Guard were the ambassadors for the band. With only eight school days in which to prepare, the kids practiced during the day and several evenings, even while getting used to new classes and ample homework.
En route to the city, the musicians role-played as their own instruments, and "sang" their rock ballads. This is a tool used to focus on precision and articulation and helps them "get into character." A parent who volunteered to drive a van had a front seat at her own personal concert.
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The Color Guard performed front and center. They drew in the crowd and added visuals and color to the songs played behind them. There was an appropriate sampling of formal songs and some fun rock music, where the Panthers put down their instruments and danced. Although only half the band was there, they sounded as strong as their entire band when they played their march.
There was a touching moment when the Panthers played the Korean National Anthem. Many people stood to sing, and they remained standing to sing the American National Anthem just as proudly.
One guest was surprised to know it was a high school band. “I love the uniforms and the dynamic sound; I like that a school from another area is here.”
Chom Yamagami, a representative for the Salvation Army, was moved by the blending of cultures. “I love that we mix communities," she said. "The young generations get to mix as one, because in the future, we’re all together.”
“I want to do this again next year,” said 11th grader Troy Walker, who plays the sousaphone.
This big-city experience was a nice warm-up for the band's trip to New York City in March of 2012, where it will perform in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Keep an eye out for upcoming band fundraisers such as car washes, pizza takeovers and Panther cards. Any support along the way is much appreciated.