Tarpon High band sweeps competition

Twenty bands took part in the 25th annual Seminole Sound Spectacular. Others gave exhibitions, and a past director was honored.

By JULIANNE WU

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 9, 2001

SEMINOLE -- The Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble was the big winner at the Seminole Sound Spectacular Saturday on the Seminole High School football field.

Not only did the Tarpon Springs band capture first place in the largest division, but it also was named Grand Champion of the event. In addition, the band won kudos for having the best auxiliary (color guard), best brass, best woodwinds, best percussion and best drum major in its division, which is for bands with more than 70 playingmembers.

Twenty bands competed and several bands gave exhibitions at the 25th annual spectacular, a six-hour event sponsored by the school's Warhawk Marching Band. Also giving exhibitions were the Seminole and Madeira Beach middle school bands, which played The Star Spangled Banner, and the 135-member University of South Florida band.

Samuel Hayward, band director at Seminole High during the first Sound Spectacular, was honored with a special plaque. Hayward, 68, is now the band director for the Countryside High School Golden Cougar Band of Pride, a post he has held for 22 years. On Saturday, his Golden Cougars took third place and got a trophy for the best brass section in the small-band division.

"I didn't know I was going to get this (plaque)," Hayward said after the event. "I do have quite a few, but I can always find room for another one."

As the award ceremony progressed, Tarpon Springs High's drum major, Joey Ebach, could barely contain his joy as the seven shiny trophies stood in front of him on the field.

"It's a great feeling," said Ebach, a senior. "It's a team effort. There were many talented bands out here tonight, but we worked very hard for this."

Other Pinellas County schools figured largely in the awards ceremony Saturday. Besides Countryside's third place in the bronze division (bands with 45 or fewer playing members), other division winners included Largo High School Band of Gold, for first place and for best auxiliary (color guard), and the Indian Rocks Christian School Golden Eagle Regiment, which won trophies for second place, best woodwinds and best percussion.

East Lake High School's Silver Sound Band won first place in the silver division (bands with 46 to 70 playing members), along with trophies for best drum major and best percussion.

Other participants came from around the state.

Throughout the evening, portions of the audience kept changing. Many parents either left shortly after their children's bands finished or came later to watch their kids perform in the silver or gold divisions. The evening began with the bronze division.

But Ginny Jones of Seminole stayed for the duration even though she didn't have anyone to cheer for on the field.

"I've come for the past few years," said Jones, whose son, Harry, was the Osceola High School band's drum major in 1985. "I just enjoy the event. It's interesting to watch the different bands perform."

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