|
NEWS
| October 7, 2003
Student Life
Contest assists recruiting
Martin High School sweeps the
UTA band alumni’s annual tool to raise funds for new equipment.
 |
| The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts |
| The UTA Band shown here at an exhibition
show Sept. 30 at Maverick Stadium played Saturday while
judges decided Martin High School was the champion of
the 18th Annual Marching Festival sponsored by the UTA
Band Alumni. |
|
By Kate
Bolen
The Shorthorn staff
Kimberly St. Jean sat in Maverick Stadium’s bleachers anxiously
awaiting marching band contest results with her friends.
When the winners were announced, her school, James Martin High,
received the Grand Champion title.
“I jumped up, screamed and started hugging all my friends.
It was awesome,” the high school freshman said.
UTA Band Alumni held its 18th annual marching festival Saturday
at Maverick Stadium. The event began in the morning and continued
late into the evening with 30 high schools from the surrounding
area competing for six awards.
The top 10 bands moved on to compete in the final round. They performed
one last time, and judges picked the winning schools.
While the judges went to make their decisions, UTA’s marching
band put on their show, called Colors. Sporting multi-colored flags
and performing to the music of “Ride” by Samuel Hazo,
“Moondance” by Van Morrison and selections from Cirque
du Soleil including “Urban” and “Birth,”
the band played lightheartedly while forming complex patterns. Spectators
showed their appreciation with a standing ovation.
Percussion judge Pat Amann was one of the six judges. Amann said
judges rated the bands in three categories: repertoire, performance
effectiveness and execution.
Martin High School placed first with an overall score of 83.15.
Fossil Ridge High School took second with an 82.95 score, while
Haltom High School placed third with an 81.85. Other awards handed
out were for high percussion, high music, high general effect, high
color guard and high visual, said Phil Clements, UTA Band associate
director.
St. Jean said Martin High School won because of all the hard work
band members did to prepare for the big event.
“Before we had to leave for the competition, we all came up
to the school to practice without anyone telling us to. I am looking
forward to next year’s event,” she said.
UTA Band Director Ray Lichtenwalter said proceeds go to the university’s
marching band and are usually used for equipment.
Lichtenwalter said the festival is a great recruiting opportunity
for the university.
“There are disciplines that cut across all lines of the university.
Not everyone in the band is a music major,” Lichtenwalter
said.
Joe Dolkos, Martin’s band director, said the school was the
two-time defending champion in the competition.
|
|
