Halftime Heroes
(Page 3 of 4)
As the tempo quickens in these opening flamenco fanfares, the percussion group marches backward as a tightly spaced unit until it becomes the foundation of the line of six tubas. Around this core, the entire brass section forms a perfect circle. At the end of another radius farther out is an arc of woodwinds. The flags form two shallow arcs stretching from the center out to the woodwind periphery—and tonight they are proudly hoisting their just-finished silks of translucent metallic purple and satiny gold.
At the point of transition into the tingling “Silence and I,” the marching erupts into kaleidoscopic motion, with arcs swinging every which way, as the music takes off. When the spangled percussion patterns settle down into a definite rhythm, the arcs coalesce into a shape that resembles the face of a fly—big circular eyes joined by lines that meet to form a sharp nose. As the music rises to a climax, the whole shape propels itself towards the audience. The brass blasts the audience out of its seats, and the impression of speed and power is overwhelming, especially if you are on the sideline as the formation comes swooping at you.
Next is a little bow to the old-fashioned tradition of marching in straight lines and stepping off them one person at a time. These fifteen seconds are almost an in-joke saying, “We can do this, too.” But these straight, parallel lines marched to punchy, brassy music are the last you will see. The music is now going into the love song from Superman, and the designs evolve into soft, curvaceous, flowing shapes. The music, too, is the farthest thing from Sousa. Flutes and saxophones establish a shimmering background, and the two solo French horn players—senior Kathy Lysen and junior Carol Wilgus, who is a ranking member of last year’s all-state orchestra—are left alone at the front to play a romantic duet. The song is subtle, yet it is still outdoor music. At the end, the Spanish fanfares return, and the crowd goes wild for the home team. There have been a few missteps, but this week the basic performance has come together. From here on out, it will be detail work and polishing.
During the second half of the game, the band is in a different mood from last week. Allison Chambers, a sophomore trumpet player from England, is hyper with joy. “Honestly, I was so excited when they said ‘the pride of Texas’ I had to wipe away a tear. Really, I’m not joking. I did.”
But Scott Taylor, realist that he is, knows the work is not over yet. “Somebody asked me, and I told him that on a scale of one to ten this was about a five tonight.”
The Envelope Please
Presenting the first annual, completely unscientific, totally arbitrary John Philip Sousa awards.
BEST SOUL BAND
Kashmere High School, Houston. Lack of size and a tight budget no problem for this perennial contender for the coveted title of best marching band in Houston. Only 152 members, but one of the top triple-threat aggregations in the state. Can blitz opponents with traditional marches, high-stepping soul variations, and arrangements that allow band members to chant. Crowd-pleasing tactics have earned frequent invitations to perform at Houston Oilers halftimes; in recent years, has overshadowed the hosts. Director Sylvester LeBlanc, 39, succeeded the legendary Conrad Johnson in 1977 and started building his own legend two years later when Kashmere was named best in Houston—its third championship of the decade. Scouting report: As a woodwind player for Houston’s Fifth Ward Express band, LeBlanc keeps opponents guessing by staying on top of the latest developments in soul. Staples include “St. Louis Blues,” “Endless Love,” and a medley from Earth, Wind, and Fire that never fails to stop the show. Prospects: After two consecutive years as runner-up in the marching band competition, ready to reclaim its accustomed place at the top.
BEST CASE OF BAND FEVER
Iraan High School, Iraan. So bad before director Lucky Floyd’s arrival seven years ago that when playing the school song, it was the underdog. Only 48 members when Floyd came; now 99, including about half of the football team, in a school with just 128 students. Like many successful high school football coaches, Floyd had put his system into effect all the way down to junior high level: eighth-graders get a chance to play with the varsity and those not quite ready are redshirted. Other keys to Iraan’s success: fantastic community support (dozens of spectators show up for Tuesday night dress rehearsal) and the nearby Yates oil field (tax dollars feed the band’s astounding $69,000 budget). Some of that money may have to go for a new trophy case: Iraan is defending two consecutive state Class A marching band championships, the state concert band championship, and the title for outstanding band at the Opryland Music Festival in Nashville. Scouting report: Watch for Floyd’s arrangements of “On Broadway,” with trombones playing cornet parts (it knocked them out at last year’s state meet) and this year’s feature “When I’m Sixty-Four.” Prospects: A powerhouse as long as the support and the oil hold out.
BEST GIMMICK
Highland Park High School, Highland Park. Chic North Dallas township noted for its affluence, but when it comes to bands, just another poor boy trying to make good. Second-year director Don Thoede is the only person in town who has to get by on a budget of $25,000. Plagued by depth problems (recruiting is tough in a student body for whom practice interferes with SMU rush parties and shopping at NorthPark); just seventy members, tiny for Class AAAAA, so can’t rely on the big play. Thoede’s solution: kilts for drum majors, bright red-and-black uniforms modeled after those of British royal guards for bandsmen, bagpipes for effect. Shrill sound of bagpipes makes band a favorite wherever it plays, even though it lacks punch to win major awards. Scouting report: Corps-style band; old standbys include “Tonight” from West Side Story and selections from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Prospects: Recruiting always a problem and bagpipes a hassle (arrangements are hard to come by and it’s difficult to tune the pipes to the other instruments). But Thoede’s got the flashiest uniforms and the best gimmick in the state.
BEST BAND RIVALRY
Permian High School versus Odessa High School, Odessa. Timing of annual halftime showdown, one day before regional band competition, makes cross-town rivalry even fiercer. This battle of huge (220-plus) bands often more hotly contested than football game, which is usually dominated by Permian. Halftime usually used to be a different story—Odessa placed in the first division in regional marching competition for 37 straight years, second-longest streak in Texas. But last year a triumph for Permian’s ten-year veteran director, Charles Nail, whose squad blew past Odessa en route to finishing second in the state Class AAAAA competition. The big question: Can Permian repeat now that Odessa director Ed Handley had his rookie season under his belt? Scouting report: “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “My Favorite Things” are Permian favorites; Odessa’s specialties are “Vera Cruz” and “What Kind of Fool Am I?” Prospects: Permian must win consistently to establish tradition, Odessa to regain prestige. In a city where band rivalries start in junior high and parents are even more competitive about it than the band members, the feud will continue to be the best band rivalry in Texas.
BEST WITH THE LEAST
Vega High School, Vega. With only 32 instrumentalists and 8 drummers, the University Interscholastic League’s giant killer. Same plays, same arrangements as larger bands—and so close to same sound that Vega has won Sweepstakes awards (for playing in the first division in concert, marching, and sight-reading competitions) four years in a row. Last year ranked number one in its class in the Sandy Lake Festival poll. The secret behind Vega’s rise to prominence: a farm system that begins in elementary school. Director Isobel Briscoe teaches music and directs the band program for fifth through twelfth grades; she helped mold the current all-star lineup at an early age. Makes up for thin ranks with rigid discipline and marching routines that disguise lack of size. Scouting report: Briscoe’s arrangement of a gospel song medley scored points last year with the home folks and the judges. Theme from New York, New York this year’s highlight, but band is polishing “Tomorrow” from Annie at secret workouts. Prospects: Now a giant as well as a killer. Vega dropped from Class AA to Class A this year, so no longer needs to play David to enemy Goliaths.
