This one time, at band camp ...
As a former band geek (I played the trombone for nearly 15 years) I know this time a season it's not just football.
The cheerleaders are getting their routines down and of course the soundtrack of every football game are the marching bands.
I know a good marching band when I see one and I have to give props to the Apache marching band.
They march with precision and have a good sound.
Freddy is trying to convince me that no band in the WSGV compares to the Muir drumline. I haven't seen them in a long time but my vote right now goes to Arcadia High.
Can't have it all, Muir.
So with that in mind, who are the best marching bands in the area?
My top 5:
1. Arcadia
2. Muir
3. Temple City
4. Monrovia
5. Pasadena
Here's my little confession: I auditioned twice to be in the Tournament of Roses Honor Marching Band and twice was denied, and I'm still bummed about it.
This is Freddy sneaking in and adding my two cents...I'll take the Muir drumline instead anytime.
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7KF0jO_jto
nuff said.
I think La Canada High School will have a good year in SCSBOA check them out, im in them hehhee but yea Arcadia has had some great years iono about their band overall but they have a great indoor percussion program
Surprisingly, Hoover's drumline is pretty impressive. SoPas also has a very talented group. They are small, but repeatedly send members into great music programs and large college bands. San Marino is also pretty good. I will admit that the San Gabriel Valley is not exactly the Big-10 or SWAC when it comes to the size of their bands, but the skill level and musicianship is pretty high.
marching bands?zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
The best year Alhambra band had was my sophomore and junior year (1999, 2000). We had about 100 people on our band and we won so many awards in those two years. I'm not sure how they're doing now and I wouldn't rank them since I haven't heard them play in about seven years.
Dena Dawg, way to rub it in you marched in the Rose Parade and I didn't ;)
Arcadia's Marching Band is every bit as good as most college bands. They continually add something to their repertoire and by the end of the season the half-time show is unbelievable. They have 500 kids in the band but can barely field 30 kids for the varsity football team which is pretty preposterous, though, and speaks volumes about the demographics of the high school.
Okay, let's get real. Yes, Muir has their drum corp, but to rank them 2nd I DON"T THINK SO! Has Muir's BAND (band not drumline) EVER marched in the Rose Parade, NOPE, been in any other televised parades, NOPE.. And the drumline is made up of alumni, Muir's real band hasn't played that beat in years......
You can't compare a drumline to a band, anyone with "band" experience knows this.
I marched with PHS in the 1977 Rose Parade and my kids were both in the Montebello High School "Mighty Oiler Band" And yes, props to Arcadia's Marching Apaches an AWESOME band.. Hey, Miguel don't forget about your "Mighty Moors"
agreed. arcadia's varsity football team has less than 30 people on the roster. their marching band looks like they've got 300+? wow.
Arcadia's band is AMAZINGLY good! They're halftime show at their homecoming vs. Muir two years ago blew me away. In terms of a real marching band no one in the area is close.
Of course I agree with Fred about what I'd rather listen to though...the John Muir Drum Corp!!!
Are those dudes made out of cardboard or what?
Everybody looks like they were run over by a semi. We have a good band at TC, but it would take 6 weeks for them to line up that straight.
Somewhere under a tuba or something, there must be a long snapper or placekicker in there somewhere.