Band Competes
Marching band gets the job done
By Blake Anderson
The Valley marching band is
doing a sterling job, dominating their first three competitions
with impressive musical skill.
The first competition in Merced was a quick success. While the
fact that they were the only band in their division might seem
to discredit their victory, the band not only took first in their
division but won sweepstakes over all the smaller, lower divisions
as well.
If Merced left any doubt as to Valley’s skill, it was blown
away at Modesto. The band dominated their division, scoring a
whopping 6 points higher than their competitors. For a second
time they won sweepstakes, and as if that was not enough, they
out-scored a band in a higher division! Bass drummer David Urbach
said that while the first competition was not quite as profound,
on the second competition Valley musicians “felt a lot better
about how we performed.” Urbach particularly enjoyed the
closing piece featuring him and the rest of the drum line, while
saxophone player Josh Breed preferred the ballad “O Magnum
Mysterium.”
A third smashing victory was won Saturday October 23 in Gilroy.
Sand was strewn over the field to cover the mud from the light
rain, and the band marched dutifully onward to victory by 4.2
points, an impressive triumph coupled with another sweepstakes.
A sophomore spectator remarked that the band was “far and
above their competition.” His words were apt, and likely
foreshadow additional triumphs on the road ahead.
