Tuesday Night Lights

If you've ever wondered what makes the Benicia High School band so successful, the answer came to light late Tuesday.  The free concert was over, the equipment put away and the students were milling around quietly in the band room when director Patrick Martin asked for quiet.  The musicians were immediately silent and focused.

"You just had the best performance of the year," said Martin, who then presented the students with a challenge.  "Now, I want you to think about how you are going to make it better on Saturday."

Martin was referring to the Tournament of Champions band competition this Saturday at Fairfield High School, the last competition of the fall season.

If you were looking for an evening out, a midweek night of culture with a relaxed yet exciting mood, you'd have done well  to show up at Benicia High School on Tuesday night to hear the Panther Band. 

They played for an audience that included Superintendent Janice Adams, members of the Benicia Education Foundation and the general public, alumni and, of course, loyal band families. 

The Jazz Band, A Cappella group, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble all brought their "A" games. The evening was relaxed because it was the first time this year that the band played in a noncompetitive setting.  During the performance, many students played solos and improvised, much to the delight of fellow band members and the audience.

The Jazz Band played first and set the tone for the night, matching the good vibe from the crowd with three upbeat tunes.  

  Next, the A Cappella group of 15 came on stage.  The group started two years ago as a sort of grass-roots movement by students, and it has continued thanks to the efforts of senior Andrew Martinez.  The singers performed Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  The song elevated their coolness factor and was a big treat for all. 

The Symphonic Band played two pieces, and Pilatus-Mountain of Dragons got a comical introduction by two band members. When one hears "dragon" "medieval" "maiden" and "slay," it's a song well worth the wait.  This group told stories with its dramatic performance. 

The Wind Ensemble finished the evening with three songs, one of which,  October, earned it first place at the Marine Corps Fleet Week Challenge.  This song was  so beautifully played it made one feel melancholy, wistful or just plain ready to propose. 

The last song by the group was The Tyger.  Drum major and percussionist Greg Sunga described it as "the most messed-up song I played in high school."  Later, he explained "messed up" meant complicated yet exciting to hear. 

The Tyger makes one feel anxious, ill-at-ease and vulnerable, much like prey running for its life.  The audience was completely still and most likely stayed awake for several hours afterward because of the emotion and rush of adrenaline it produced.

Each song was a story that carried listeners away and made them forget where they were.  The musicians sounded so powerful and rich, each group sounded as if it had twice the number of members and created music worthy of a movie soundtrack or an  au courant ringtone. 

The night ended with a standing ovation.  After a full day of school, and a night of moving performances, band members hauled their equipment back to the band room, no roadies required.  In addition, members of the Color Guard, who were not performing that night, worked behind the scenes helping move equipment and assuming host duties.