More than 35 high school bands from Kansas and Oklahoma, including the Salina South high School band, are participating Saturday in the 30th annual Central States Marching Festival at Kansas State University.
“The Central States Marching Festival has grown to be one of the most — if not the most — comprehensive, educational, beneficial and well-run event there is,” said Frank Tracz, director of bands at Kansas State University.
Participating bands have an optional opportunity for a one-hour clinic in the morning with members of the Kansas State University Marching Band staff. For their field performances, bands will be judged by a panel of nationally recognized marching band authorities, receive individual clinics by members of the video critique panel after their field performances, and obtain a rating of superior, excellent or good by class with accompanying awards. The categories used in judging include repertoire, performance, coordination, auxiliaries and music. Before the festival’s closing ceremonies, the Kansas State University Marching Band — the Pride of Wildcat Land — will give an exhibition performance.
Field performances start at noon at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and will be steamed live at BandDirector.com. A schedule of performances is available at http://bit.ly/2dZ7vr7. Festival activities will conclude around 9:45 p.m.
“The performance, clinic sessions and ability to watch other bands are tremendously beneficial to these high school students and their directors,” Tracz said.
A special guest at this year’s festival will be the legendary brass quintet, the Boston Brass. The Pride of Wildcat Land will share the stage with the quintet, which gives more than 100 performances each year. The group has performed in 49 states and 30 countries, and conducted master classes around the world. Bands at the Central States Marching Festival also will have the opportunity to take part in clinics hosted by the Boston Brass.
“What a great day it will be for all,” Tracz said. “The high school bands and the K-State community win big-time on this.”
The following bands are participating in this year’s festival:
Arkansas City High School, Arkansas City; Atchison High School, Atchison; Basehor-Linwood High School, Basehor; Bonner Springs High School, Bonner Springs; De Soto High School, De Soto; Derby High School, Derby; Dodge City High School, Dodge City; Emporia High School, Emporia; Eudora High School, Eudora; Garden City High School, Garden City; Halstead High School, Halstead; Junction City High School, Junction City; Lansing High School, Lansing; Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth; Liberal High School, Liberal; Louisburg High School, Louisburg; Lyons High School, Lyons; Maize High School, Maize; Manhattan High School, Manhattan; Marysville High School, Marysville; McPherson High School, McPherson;
Blue Valley North High School, Blue Valley Northwest High School and Shawnee Mission West High School, Overland Park; Rose Hill High School, Rose Hill; Salina South High School, Salina; Mill Valley High School and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee; Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh; Seaman High School, Topeka; Wamego High School, Wamego; Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Wichita East High School, Wichita North High School and Wichita South High School, Wichita.
From out of state: Ponca City High School, Ponca City, Oklahoma.
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Story by Malorie Wagner / Kansas State University
