Ram Band crowned champions AGAIN

On a brisk night  in Bridgeport before several thousand ,coming and going fans the Ram Band won the Class III New England State Championship. The affair marked the climax of the season for many of the 40 bands - aka units per the governing body of the spectacle (USSBA). Marching bands from four states were in attendance. The setting worked but was less than ideal.

 Finding Bridgeport Central High despite directions was an adventure. Unlike the other events attended there was nary a Band Show sign to be found in the concrete jungle. There were police present but more concerned with talking to comrades rather than aiding event goers. After a detour or two we found the school locked ,almost literally,  behind busy commercial streets and amidst a residential area. After getting re-routed to another entrance we found the parking area- still no signs, or for that matter,  band noise. We followed the road and sunken in the distance stood the  matching and towering spines of bleachers of John F. Kennedy Stadium.

The entrance was a mass of confusion with bands coming and going. There was a table selling tickets on the side but inexplicably nobody accepting tickets or stamping hands. Two of Bridgeport's finest  ( police)  sat mustachioed on horseback surveying the situation. Maybe it was a hectic moment or the fact that a lot of tickets, like ours, were pre-sold. Just prior to the stadium there were refreshment and souvenir booths. Bleachers on the press box side were about half full. the bleachers on the other side remained reserved for bands. The field itself was immaculate with a bright green rug ( Astroturf type) . The stadium had somewhat gone to seed but was still a concrete and aluminum marvel with rather steep inclines (and wonderful sight lines). It was a good design that let you exit either on the lower and upper levels. The place may have been old but worked well and could seat thousands. It made Strong Stadium in Cheshire seem like a matchbox.

As far as the show itself , bands of all shapes and sizes gave it their all. Expressions of worried looks upon arrival became smiles of contentment, relief and/or satisfaction upon exits. It was akin to seeing soldiers at attention before and during performance and later, at ease either half-costumed or in civilian clothes after. It's hard to fathom , to this outsider, the hundreds of hours of work  boiled down to the  ten minute scrutiny of the real performance that is the marching band life.Ram Band participated in the largest division which had seven bands. It was according to band director John Kuhner "the best you sounded yet" and extended a streak of first place awards in this event to a remarkable 14 years in a row! Regardless and despite a few logistical mishaps the event was well run. For a lot of bands this ended the season, and for the seniors an enriched four years.

Attending these events is a learning experience, the protocol such as when to clap and when not to clap, what clothes to wear and not wear, when to talk to your kid when to keep away, what to eat/drink and not.The best part though is watching the improvement, the confidence growing , the herd forming . At minimum it offers an intense two month sociological and psychological study. Watching the various bands is variation on a theme, people moving around playing instruments and waving, flipping and gyrating are all common ingredients.

Creativity is the X factor, the uniforms, the props, the gimics all are a must and to the fans addicting. Overall a great show and congrats to the Ram Band and its supporting characters (coaches, pit crew and contributing parents). Next week caps the season at the Nationals at Giants/Jets Stadium in New Jersey. Time to, pardon the pun, STEP IT UP.