Last year, Ryan was a little nervous at first. But he calmed down enough to enjoy the show.
"It's just quite a rush," said Ryan Chaney. "We had so much fun."
Showcase of Bands is the community's only opportunity to see and hear all seven of Washington County's public high school bands in one evening. The bands will march in to the Blazer band's drum cadence, and each will have an individual performance spot. Then they will come together as one - approximately 600 of them. William Mott, director of Clear Spring's Blazer Band, will lead the combined bands in "Cyrus the Great - Persian March." That honor is his because it's Clear Spring's turn to be host band for the showcase.
Van Morrison's "Moondance" and "Jericho," Katie's favorite, also are part of the Blazer Band's program. So is Louis Prima's swinging "Sing, Sing, Sing."
That tune is 16-year-old trumpet soloist Corey Lewis' favorite selection. It's not easy, but Corey said he likes really hard music. A trumpeter since sixth grade, he said he works on music every night.
The Blazer Band gets a little more field playing time this year since Clear Spring High School has a varsity football team for the first time since 1917. Marching while playing an instrument can be a challenge. You have to set half your thoughts to the music, the other half to marching, Corey said.
The Blazer Band is ready to lead tonight's showcase.
"I'm excited," Katie said.
"We're gonna take this crowd and rock and roll them. We're gonna make them sing, sing, sing," Ryan said.
Showcase of Bands program list
National anthem - Clear Spring High School "Blazer" Band, directed by William Mott
"Pirates of the Caribbean" - Boonsboro High School "Warrior" Band, directed by Heath Wilcox
"The Third Vortex" - North Hagerstown High School "Hub" Band, directed by Jeremy R. Karacz
"Fantasmic" - Smithsburg High School "Leopard" Band, directed by Gary L. Rupert
"Are You Lonesome Tonight," "Birdland," "Jazzin'" - South Hagerstown "Rebel" Band, directed by Kathy Seman
"Mr. Holland's Opus" - Williamsport High School "Blue" Band, directed by Lisa Jordan
"The Mask of Zorro" - Hancock High School "Panther" Band, directed by Michelle Barsh
"Swing, Swing, Swing" - Clear Spring High School "Blazer" Band, directed by William Mott
If you go ...
Twenty-eighth annual Showcase of Bands
7:30 p.m. today
Gates will open at 6:15 p.m.
School Stadium at South Hagerstown High School, 1101 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Tickets are (nonrefundable) $4 in advance and $5 at the gate.
Rain date is Tuesday, Oct. 12.
For information, call Rob Hovermale, coordinator of visual and performing arts, at 301-766-2928.
