By: Jesse Evans

Walled Lake Central’s marching band took part in the Michigan Competing Bands Association (MCBA) States competition November 4 at Ford Field, earning 5th place out of 12 bands in Flight One.

The band’s score was 89.9, which is seen as extremely good. Instructor Kyle Peters said, “The band did extremely well, and I’m very proud to have taught these kids.” Many extra awards that are given are for outstanding music performance, outstanding visual performance, and outstanding general effect. Sadly, Central did not win any of the extra awards.

Flight One, which is made up of the larger bands, includes 12 bands that compete with WLC’s band. The two major competitors with WLC’s band are Plymouth Canton and Rockford. Other bands that perform in Flight One are Novi, Grandville, L’anse Creuse, Grand Blanc, Lake Orion, Clarkston, Troy Athens, West Bloomfield, Hudsonville. All of the bands that compete here have worked hard all season, and will do everything they can to beat the competition. Rockford took first with 94.025; Plymouth-Canton Ed. Park placed second with 93.175; Lake Orion came in third with 92.750; Novi earned fourth place with 91.975; and Central rounded out the Top Five with a score of 89.900.

States is an exciting outing for the marching band.  After the band got to the school bright and early to practice one last time before the competition, just like they do every year, they all gathered up to hear what David Rogers, Band Director, had to say about the competition. “You guys know your show, and your parts, so do your best, forget the rest, go band,” he said to get the students excited to compete. Then after months of practice, it was time to leave.

Everyone got on the busses and headed out for Ford Field. This was the the last States competition that the seniors would ever do. Senior Matt Slate, trumpet player in the band said before this year’s competition, “It would really be great to win this year, because it would be the only one that I would be a part of.”

When the band arrived at Ford Field, the first thing they did was warm up and set up. Then, they went into the locker rooms and waited until it was time to perform. Freshman Nathaniel Bogert said, “It was really cool going into the locker rooms and seeing what it looked like.”

After that, it was time to go on the field and perform. Junior Jaron Schaeffer, said in advance of the competition, “When I get on the field to perform, I feel like I can do anything, and know that no matter what happens, I’ll be proud of what we get for our score.”  

Following the performance,the band loaded the truck with the props and instruments. The band would then later head onto the field for awards and watch other bands perform. “Going on the field to accept the trophy was a lot more nerve wracking than I had expected,” Senior Drum Major Yutaka Benson said. “When the announcer called the first couple of bands, I nearly screwed up the salute. I started to calm down after the third band was called.”