Bandfest Day #2--2 p.m. Field Show Review
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:21 pm
I had the opportunity to see today's final portion of the 2003-2004 Bandfest at the Pasadena College Stadium. The last time I was at Pasadena College, the stadium looked much different. So I assume the had rebuilt it completely. The crowd was huge and there was standing room only. It was nice to see so many people from different parts of the country all reacting in unison for each band. Onto the review:
Pre-show activities began with a blues type band that sounded awesome. I missed their name, but I know I've seen them play at Disneyland. They played a variety of music that the crowd really enjoyed. They also had the Disney personalities that got the crowd going.
Pasadena City College TOR Honor Band
This band had new uniforms from the last time I saw them and they really looked good. I appreciated their musicality, but they didn't have much power.
They marched around 200+ winds and percussion, a dance team, banner group, baton twirler and some type of weapon group. Not much drill to say, but mainly stood and moved in-between songs to restage. The herald trumpet section though was outstanding.
Ambridge Area HS Band, Pennsylvania
This band had something unique that the others did not have. They had a full compliment of Steel Drums mounted on special carts that were built especially for them. Watch for these pans to be played in the parade! This group moved a little bit more than Pasadena City College, but they have a different type of show than most of the California bands. I just wish they could have mic'd the pans. They were hard to hear at times.
Clark County HS Band, Missouri
This band also came along way out to be part of the Rose Parade. You can tell they were excited about performing in Caifornia. They performed well, and had an excellent Drum Major. Their color guard used multi-colored square tubes to help accent their Broadway Musical variety show.
Central Carroll HS Band, Georgia
WOW! I had heard about Central Carroll, but they were one of the show stoppers today. What a brass section. They had the biggest impact out of all of the High School Bands. Musically, they played a "Georgia" show that was performed as if they were in competition. Mr. Brad Pearson wrote their music.
Brad writes music for Chino, Vista and Santa Margarita High School Bands.
I also noticed they had a California Drill writer on their credits. When the show was over, the band moved onto the track and performed a short impact to finish things off. They got a well-deserved standing ovation!
A Solid show indeed!
Valley HS Band, Des Moines Iowa
Valley HS red uniforms were a definite Cesario design. They were rather large, but did no drill at all. The guard was staged on the left side of the field for the entire performance. I think the crowd would have reacted more if they would have performed their drill. But we all know in some cases, it takes time to rehearse a group back into that mode. Musically, they were very enjoyable and had several excellent soloist. Their musical program had a Spanish flair.
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, California
It was so awesome to SO MANY BRASS PLAYERS. The corps was a mixture of the A and B Corps and Alumni. The Color Guard did not perform, but was on the front side line cheering the corp proper on. They played several selections from some of their glory years and boy did they have a great sound. The corps marching style is impeccable, and you could see that as they walked out onto the field. This was a standstill for them, but Vanguard in any setting is a class act to see and hear!
University of Michigan
I have never seen this band live, so this was my first viewing in person. They are amazing! What a powerhouse. They performed their pre-game show first and moved an "M" form back and forth from left to right across the field. They than moved and began their half-time performance. They were so musical, but had the power of a drum corps. Their drill was also contemporary. You would think that most Big-10 Bands would not have a show like this one. There percussion section is also something to watch. You can tell that they have experience in this group. You can see the students of this band love to perform. They also received a standing ovation. Congrats Michigan on a incredible band!
Pre-show activities began with a blues type band that sounded awesome. I missed their name, but I know I've seen them play at Disneyland. They played a variety of music that the crowd really enjoyed. They also had the Disney personalities that got the crowd going.
Pasadena City College TOR Honor Band
This band had new uniforms from the last time I saw them and they really looked good. I appreciated their musicality, but they didn't have much power.
They marched around 200+ winds and percussion, a dance team, banner group, baton twirler and some type of weapon group. Not much drill to say, but mainly stood and moved in-between songs to restage. The herald trumpet section though was outstanding.
Ambridge Area HS Band, Pennsylvania
This band had something unique that the others did not have. They had a full compliment of Steel Drums mounted on special carts that were built especially for them. Watch for these pans to be played in the parade! This group moved a little bit more than Pasadena City College, but they have a different type of show than most of the California bands. I just wish they could have mic'd the pans. They were hard to hear at times.
Clark County HS Band, Missouri
This band also came along way out to be part of the Rose Parade. You can tell they were excited about performing in Caifornia. They performed well, and had an excellent Drum Major. Their color guard used multi-colored square tubes to help accent their Broadway Musical variety show.
Central Carroll HS Band, Georgia
WOW! I had heard about Central Carroll, but they were one of the show stoppers today. What a brass section. They had the biggest impact out of all of the High School Bands. Musically, they played a "Georgia" show that was performed as if they were in competition. Mr. Brad Pearson wrote their music.
Brad writes music for Chino, Vista and Santa Margarita High School Bands.
I also noticed they had a California Drill writer on their credits. When the show was over, the band moved onto the track and performed a short impact to finish things off. They got a well-deserved standing ovation!
A Solid show indeed!
Valley HS Band, Des Moines Iowa
Valley HS red uniforms were a definite Cesario design. They were rather large, but did no drill at all. The guard was staged on the left side of the field for the entire performance. I think the crowd would have reacted more if they would have performed their drill. But we all know in some cases, it takes time to rehearse a group back into that mode. Musically, they were very enjoyable and had several excellent soloist. Their musical program had a Spanish flair.
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, California
It was so awesome to SO MANY BRASS PLAYERS. The corps was a mixture of the A and B Corps and Alumni. The Color Guard did not perform, but was on the front side line cheering the corp proper on. They played several selections from some of their glory years and boy did they have a great sound. The corps marching style is impeccable, and you could see that as they walked out onto the field. This was a standstill for them, but Vanguard in any setting is a class act to see and hear!
University of Michigan
I have never seen this band live, so this was my first viewing in person. They are amazing! What a powerhouse. They performed their pre-game show first and moved an "M" form back and forth from left to right across the field. They than moved and began their half-time performance. They were so musical, but had the power of a drum corps. Their drill was also contemporary. You would think that most Big-10 Bands would not have a show like this one. There percussion section is also something to watch. You can tell that they have experience in this group. You can see the students of this band love to perform. They also received a standing ovation. Congrats Michigan on a incredible band!