GCHS marching band takes first place at Nebo competition
by Jeff Richards
Contributing Writer
Oct 03, 2013 | 1975 views | 0 0 comments | 22 22 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The GCHS marching band performs during a recent competition in Payson. The band took first place in the 1A Division. Photo by John Knowles
The GCHS marching band performs during a recent competition in Payson. The band took first place in the 1A Division. Photo by John Knowles
slideshow


The Grand County High School marching band started its competition season with an impressive first-place showing at the Nebo Tournament of the Bands on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The competition featured 31 bands from all across Utah, classified into five divisions – 1A through 5A – according to the size of the band, said GCHS band director Don McGuire.

Grand, with 35 performers, competed in the 1A division, which is for bands with fewer than 40 members. The Red Devils were grouped with Spanish Fork, Springville, Ogden, Uintah, Salem Hills, Timpanogos, Payson and Stansbury Park for Saturday’s competition at Payson. 

In addition to taking overall first place in its category, the GCHS marching band was recognized as the best visual group and the best musical group, McGuire said. Stansbury took second place overall and Timpanogos placed third, he said.

“We were most pleased with the way the crowd received our show,” McGuire said. “We enjoy being something of a ‘good time’ band.”

The GCHS marching band’s lively and entertaining show, entitled, “N’Awlins: Second Line,” is styled after a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral. Parts of the show have been seen by GCHS football fans this season during the band’s halftime performances at recent home contests.

Although Grand is the smallest school in Utah to have a competitive marching band, the GCHS group makes up for its lack of size in talent, McGuire said. He gave credit to drum major Adam Jenkinson and color guard captain Lindsay Farnsworth for their leadership, along with color guard coach Carrie Foy.

“Our music, which has been so well received, was written by Dr. Shannon Roberts of Weber State University, and our drill was written by Victor Neeves of Bandtek,” McGuire said, adding that Neeves writes for many of the universities in the state as well as universities and high schools across the country. 

“We enjoy enormous support from our band parents, who not only supply the kids for this band but also help with the transportation of sets and equipment, but also help set up the field for the performances,” McGuire said.

“I have such a wonderful group of people to work with, both students, assistants and parents, we can’t help but succeed,” McGuire added. “More importantly though, is how much fun we have doing this. I think that’s why people respond so well to this band … We’re having fun, so they have fun!”  
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.