Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Band marches off with rare honors

The Springstead Marching Eagle Brigade makes an impressive showing in its first state championship.

By MATHEW WASSERMAN
Published November 22, 2005

SPRING HILL - They didn't bring home the big trophy, but it was a pretty good day nonetheless for the Springstead Marching Eagle Brigade.

The band took second place overall for Class 2A at Saturday's Florida Marching Band Championships at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

"Our goal was to get into the finals," said band director Richard Dasher. "We did that, and we were very competitive."

Springstead finished just three points behind Santa Fe High School of Alachua County.

"Santa Fe puts on a really good show," said Dasher, who has been band director at Springstead for 17 years. "The special effects and showmanship are a legitimate part of the competition, and they have developed that more than we have. Our marching and music were as clean as anybody's, but we need to work on the show for next year."

Saturday was the first time any band from Hernando County had made it the state championships. Dasher said he and the band are thrilled to have set that precedent.

In addition to finishing second in 2A, the band took top honors for percussion and tied for first in music.

Springstead principal Susan Duval attended the championships to support her school.

"Their musicianship was outstanding," Duval said. "The quality, blend, tone, precision and everything else seemed flawless. This is a band that from the beginning you could tell had something special, and they have really developed it."

Randal Roberts, a former Hernando High band director and now chairman of the guidance department at Springstead, also went to the championships and said the band impressed him.

"They put on a memorable show," Roberts said. "I'm thrilled with how well they did."

As a former band director, Roberts has been interested in Springstead's band for the three years he has been at the school. He said this year's group has been remarkable.

"Every once in a while you get a great bunch of kids," he said. "They work hard, they're talented and they work well together. Most of all they're all working for a common goal, and that was evident Saturday night."

At school Monday, band members watched a videotape of their performance at the state championships.

"It was interesting to see ourselves that way," said Andy Schaefer, a 14-year-old freshman who plays tenor saxophone. "It showed us we can improve our marching and how we position our instruments so we can do even better next year."

Dasher said next year's goal is to raise the band's score and do better at all of its competitions. But this year's band set a high standard. At its last three competitions before the state championships, the band won two grand championships.

On Dec. 10, the band will march in the annual Brooksville Christmas Parade. In the meantime, preparations are under way for solo and ensemble and concert festivals after the first of the year.

"We've got more things to prepare for, but it's going to be hard to calm down the excitement from the championships," said 17-year-old drum major Amelia Carlson. "But this will give us so much confidence going into the next events. To know that your band is one of the best in the state is inspiring. We've created a legacy."

--Mathew Wasserman can be reached at Mat65432@aol.com

[Last modified November 22, 2005, 02:15:27]