January 2020 Issue

2
JANUARY 2020 • EDITOR PAULA COLON
Marching band floats to victory as grand champions
Natalie Maronas
Copy Editor
Worn-out tennis shoes were eroded with
holes from the hot concrete. Hours of practice
were the catalyst for the band’s hard
work and dedication to blossom. The attentiveness
of the instructors and performers
were what contributed to the marching
band having their most successful year yet.
Even with a band size barely qualifying
for the 5A category, the West Broward
Performance Ensemble had made massive
strides this season as they accomplished
major wins against long-time competitors
and earned their first ever win at the Florida
Marching Band State Championships. Their
show “Lost in the Fog” marked an important
moment in the marching band’s history.
“This has been the hardest working
band we’ve had so far,” said band director
Dean Calmer. “Since everyone on board
is great, it made the band want to work
harder to reach the bar asked of them.”
The production’s theme was centered
around the classic 1964 film Mary Poppins.
The music varied between the typical
marching band style and swing in their
covers and original composition for the
score, focusing on the bombastic sound
of the brass and giving spotlight to soloists
during the third act. Choreography
was a major aspect of the show as many
of the visual and guard instructors contributed
to having performers do a variety of
moves on the football field. The ensemble
even had an umbrella dance backed by Rihanna’s
“Umbrella” for their fourth act.
“When we design shows, we have the
idea of anything goes and don’t say no
to anything,” said assistant band director
Bill Muter. “Someone mentioned
the Mary Poppins idea and we liked
it, so we decided to stick with it but
make it more interesting and modern.”
UP HIGH: During their fourth act, the ensemble coats the football fi eld in
pink as they end off their fl owing umbrella dance. With intense rehearsals
and practices contributing to them perfecting their varied, bombastic
production, the band was able to net their fi rst ever win at FMBC
States. Photo by Andrew Rumpfeldt
A TILT AND A BOW: During the second part of their production, the saxophones of West Broward’s Performance
Ensemble play the main melody of the band’s score as they form their shapes and act out their choreography.
The ensemble’s attentiveness to detail in their composition and visuals alongside the Color Guard’s precise
movements led them win as champions at FMBC States. Photo by Natalie Maronas
Planning for the production and practice
through the school’s football games
paid off with their marching competitions.
Their first competition at Boca Raton High
on Sept. 28 marked a noticeable moment
for the group as they placed .2 points
away from competitor Park Vista High.
Afterwards, minor competitions at John
I. Leonard High on Oct. 12 and Hialeah
High on Oct. 19 had them net first place
against other 5A groups. However, for the
first time in five years, the ensemble was
able to beat rival Stoneman Douglas High
in the 5A category by .7 points at Park
Vista High on Nov. 2. The rush of invincibility
permeated within the band as states
approached, but there was still a tinge of
fear for how the final show would play out.
“Many were nervous, but I felt confident,”
said senior and brass captain Gabriel Martin.
“I don’t think we’ve ever beat Stoneman
like that, so doing that gave us motivation
in preparation for the performance.”
The big day arrived on Nov. 23 as the
band traveled to Ovideo High to compete
for semi-finals. With only seven 5A
bands present and five advancing to finals,
the group was sure that they would
make it for their final performance at the
Daytona Beach Stadium. The fear they
had became prominent as they got second
with 92.1 points and Stoneman in first
with 92.8. With one last chance to give it
their all, the ensemble earned their first 5A
champion title with 92.25 points overall.
“I don’t think we’ve
ever beat Stoneman like
that, so doing that gave
us motivation in preparation
for the performance.”
-Gabriel Martin
“This is the most talented band that we’ve
ever had and the culture change from freshman
year to now is so big,” Martin said. “It’s
cool to see all of the members’ growth.”
The endless practices and the teamwork
of the students helped give a show
like no other. As a light shower fell on
all of the performance groups waiting for
results on the field after finals, West Broward
opened their pink umbrellas up and
made themselves known to everyone.
“West Broward is known for having
sass and confidence in their production,”
said visual captain head Josh Brenneis.
“But as an ensemble we’re just growing
in maturity and skill every year.”