The Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band (THSGEMB) is the Musical Arts Conference Class V Champions. In front of a record breaking crowd at Kennedy Center in Bridgeport, THSGEMB scored 98.70 last night, the second highest score ever given by MAC, and won outstanding percussion, color guard, marching and general effect and tied for music. The win was the culmination of a perfect season for the band with their 2010 repertoire “Concerto”, featuring Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s ‘Piano Concerto no. 1′and The Prayer Cycle Movement III Hope.
Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame, and the composer of much the band’s award winning music, sent the students and band director a message early in the season wishing them well with their rendition of his piano Concerto. Immediately after the bands win, Emerson posted the following message to the band and then again on his Facebook page, Twitter account and on Youtube. “Congratulations Everyone! I am beyond words for your success, that’s why I write music. If you heard me sing you’d understand that I am so proud of you all! Next time I’ll get on the piano and make it spin around.- Keith Emerson
The Musical Arts Conference is a coalition of music educators that have formed a non-profit organization, in order to create a professional and educational outlet for high school ensembles to compete in. MAC is made up of bands from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York and is divided into six classes with Class V being the largest. With 144 musicians and color guard members, THSGEMB competes in Class V and is also the 2006 and 2007 Musical Arts Class V Champions. Competing in the Class V category with THSGEMB this year was New Milford, Brien McMahon, Port Chester, New York, Newtown and Norwalk.
The 144 musicians and color guard members spent the day rehearsing Saturday and celebrated with a band family barbecue. After the dinner break, the students had a private moment with no parents or instructors present, where they reflected on the season. Prior to boarding the buses to head to championships, the students had a very emotional sendoff in the band room with luminaries, balloons, posters and music presented to them by their families.
THSGEMB began working on the show in the middle of August. For two weeks, the band practices from 9am to 9pm and then three times a week during the school months putting in countless hours under the direction of Band Director Peter Horton, assistant Band Directors Thomas Whitmoyer and Carman T. Dragone and Color Guard Caption Head Ray Rhodes.
Although the marching band season has concluded, THSGEMB will play at the grand re-opening of the Trumbull Westfield Mall on Friday, November 19th and march in the Stamford Parade Spectacular on Sunday, November 21st. They will also play at the Trumbull High School versus St. Joe’s football game on Wednesday, November 24th. In December the band is headed to Florida to march in the 30th annual Orlando Citrus Parade, the nation’s second largest sports-affiliated parade, and play in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Thank you to the THSGEMB students, parents, and staff for a memorable season! And thank you to the town of Trumbull for it’s generosity and endless support of the band. This win’s for you!
Words can not describe how I felt as I waited to hear the judges scores. The band and the color guard did not miss a beat or step during their performance. Hearing how the band performed Hope was very moving and emotional to me. I got all weepy when the color guard adds to this piece their beautiful flag movements that I have termed Angel Wings. The Concerto piece was played masterfully and the added impact of the flags and rifles just made it more powerful. Congratulations THSGEMB on your BIG WIN. Your performance on Saturday nights shows all worked hard and dedication that you put into your show this season. I can not wait to see what you have in store for next years performance!
Comment by Barbara — November 15th, 2010 @ 5:23 pm