Photo Credit: JP PORTRAITS
BY LOUIS DENNIN
The CCHS Sound of Pride marching band and color guard had their final performance of the season on November 10th at Blanche Ely High School, getting straight superior ratings from the judges after performing their jazz show “Deja Vu” with music by Pat Metheny.
This performance was not for the purpose of competing against bands from other schools. Instead, it was a chance for bands and their color guards to gather and have their routine assessed by judges. The judges give ratings and evaluate each ensemble making it like a marching band final exam.
The Florida Bandmasters Association, or FBA, gives the bands constructive criticism and helps them improve their sound. For those bands that were going to the state competition, FBA was very important, as it was the last chance to hear suggestions before their biggest competition.
For the Sound of Pride, however, it was a chance to show the audience how far they had come this year.
“All the bands get together to have their work displayed,” sophomore horn-line member Jarrod De Ferrari said. “It was a great opportunity for us.”
FBA rates ensembles by choosing 1 of 5 different grades: poor, fair good, excellent and superior, and an overall score.
This year’s season began relatively rough for the band. The previous year’s marching band had many experienced senior members that graduated, and many new freshmen entered the program this year. Thus, it took time for everyone to get up to speed. On top of this, issues with weather kept the band off the field several times during the season and they had to attend their first competition with an unfinished show.
“There have been a lot of improvements in timing of the feet, proper rehearsal etiquette and learning to march and play,” band captain Paul Berlinsky said. “We’re a young band this year but we were able to pull through.”
Despite many obstacles, the band got straight superior ratings across the board, and an overall superior rating.
“A superior rating is the highest a band can achieve, so getting an overall superior rating, let alone getting straight superiors, is a difficult task.” Berlinsky said, “A lot of hard work and dedication needs to be put forth in order to achieve this rating. Superior effort gets you superior results.”
After they performed, the band members walked off the field to their meeting place where they were acknowledged for a job well done by their leaders and director. They celebrated afterwards, congratulating one another as they packed away their equipment. The seniors had finished their final moments on the field as members of the Sound of Pride.
“I had a really good run,” junior color guard member Maria Heilig said. “It was a bit scary because it was super windy, but I went full-out and didn’t regret anything in the end.”
With the season over, the band shifts their attentions to their concert season that is beginning. However, they are not only working on their concert music, but they are also looking forward to next year and the success to come. Meanwhile, the members of this year’s band and color guard will remember their experiences together for a long time to come.
“If we begin where we left off, next year’s potential for excellence is high,” Berlinsky said.
