BAND NEWS
The Pride of Trojanland has completed a very successful and very busy marching season. The Pride's 2008 halftime and competition show was entitled Midnight Heist featuring music by Ty Long written specifically for the Pride. The three show segments included Casing the Joint, the Vault and Escape. The show, complete with bank vaults on the field, told the store of a break-in, robbery and escape from the bank. The competition season began at Oologah with the Stallion Battalion Invitational Marching Festival where the band earned a 1st place finish in the 3A blue division. The following week the Pride took 1st place at Glenpool’s Blue Grey Marching Festival in the 2A division. They also won the Outstanding Drum Line, Outstanding Color Guard, Outstanding Drum Major and the 2A Sweepstakes. The following week the Pride earned a second place finish in Class 1A at the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association State Championships. The season was capped off with a rating of Excellent at the Southeast Regional Marching Championships in McAlester. The Color Guard capped off a fantastic year with Superior rating at Regional Marching Contest.
The Christmas season did not allow a slowdown for the
Pride. Following the traditional Sapulpa Christmas parade the band
completed their preparations for the big Christmas Concert. Selections
for the concert included Nutcracker Suite (Elve’s Dance, Dance of the Sugar
Plum Fairy, Waltz of the Flowers and Trepak), Christmas Music for Winds
and Selections from The Polar Express. Besides playing a full concert, the Pride accompanied a 60 voice choir featuring traditional Christmas songs and We Wish You a Merry Christmas to close the show. The Beginning Band featured Deck the Halls, Silent Night and Reindeer Paws.
The upcoming spring concert season was just as busy just as exciting as the band prepared for Mideast Oklahoma Band Director's Association Honor Band tryouts, District Solo and Ensemble Contest, the Sand Springs Music Festival, District Concert Contest, and Spring Concert.
Special congratulations go to those Pride members who place in the MEOBDA Honor Bands. The include Sara Manz, Ashlee Fulks, Benjamin Rutledge and Jacob McCoy (clarinet); Derek Severs (percussion), and Elizabeth Latte, Spencer Capehart (trumepet).
Following MEOBDA concerts the band went straight into District Contest at Cushing where they received a rating of Excellent for concert performance and an Excellent rating for sight reading. Their contest pieces included Rough-Riders and Red Rock Canyon.
Congratulations also go out toAlisa Sims, Molly Coday, Spencer Capehart, and Elizabeth Latte for the Superior Ratings at the Sand Springs Music Festival.
The Spring Band Concert wraps up the year’s performances on with the High School Band showcasing not only it’s contest music but Selections from Aladdin and The Lion King. The Beginning Band performed Dragon Slayer and Gettysburg (A Civil War Portrait). The band awards presented to at the concert went to
High School Band
Outstanding Brass – Kauli Broadhead
Outstanding Woodwind – Chad Hankins
Outstanding Percussion – Ostin Broadhead
Most Improved – Jessica Crabtree
Drum Major – Sami Curtis
John Phillips Sousa Award – Sami Curtis
Beginning Band
Outstanding 1st Year – Elizabeth Latte
Outstanding 2nd Year – Jacob McCoy
Most Improved – Alisa Sims
The concert was the last performance in a Kiefer uniform for seven seniors. It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Audra Ashwood (tuba), Kauli Broadhead (trumpet), Sami Curtis (trombone), Chad Hankins (alto saxophone), Amber Lowrey (flute), Ethan Murphy (baritone), and Josh Tyre (trumpet).
With the 2008/2009 season behind us we look forward to the 2009/2010 season. Practice has already begun on the 2009 half time show. The band will be a bit younger than in years past, but the future appears to be very bright!