The Pride of Imperial marches in the Cattle Call Parade on Saturday in Brawley. (Joselito Villero) |
While Tuesday’s Halftime Festival was not a competition, the only actual marching band competition in the Imperial Valley was held Saturday in Brawley before the Cattle Call Parade.
The Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association judged seven local marching bands from two high schools, four junior high schools and one elementary school.
For the second year in a row Imperial High School’s marching band — The Pride of Imperial — came out on top, earning the rank of “sweepstakes” winner.
Volunteer event coordinator George Scott said the bands were scored by professional judges, usually from the Los Angeles or San Diego area, and judged “according to very strict standards.”
“It’s a badge of honor for any band locally to take a trophy like that,” Scott said. “But I think more importantly is the level of commitment and achievement that all the bands have attained just to be part of the competition.”
“The groups that are able to return have very dedicated directors that prepare them for this each year,” he said.
Scott added Calexico’s De Anza Junior High School band, now defunct, won sweepstakes in past years, consecutively.
“Both of these groups have tremendously high expectations in each group,” Scott said.
Imperial High School’s band director, Brooke Kofford, said his students “work hard for three weeks to prepare for it.
“They get very excited when they win,” Kofford said. “I try to teach that it’s a reward for hard work.”
Staff Writer Roman Flores can be reached at 760-337-3439 or rflores@ivpressonline.com
The Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association judged seven local marching bands from two high schools, four junior high schools and one elementary school.
For the second year in a row Imperial High School’s marching band — The Pride of Imperial — came out on top, earning the rank of “sweepstakes” winner.
Volunteer event coordinator George Scott said the bands were scored by professional judges, usually from the Los Angeles or San Diego area, and judged “according to very strict standards.”
“It’s a badge of honor for any band locally to take a trophy like that,” Scott said. “But I think more importantly is the level of commitment and achievement that all the bands have attained just to be part of the competition.”
“The groups that are able to return have very dedicated directors that prepare them for this each year,” he said.
Scott added Calexico’s De Anza Junior High School band, now defunct, won sweepstakes in past years, consecutively.
“Both of these groups have tremendously high expectations in each group,” Scott said.
Imperial High School’s band director, Brooke Kofford, said his students “work hard for three weeks to prepare for it.
“They get very excited when they win,” Kofford said. “I try to teach that it’s a reward for hard work.”
Staff Writer Roman Flores can be reached at 760-337-3439 or rflores@ivpressonline.com
