They're with the band

For those who aren't "with the band," pageantry and hard work might not be the first words that come to mind when one thinks of a high school band. But, painstaking, brow-sweating detail goes into a triumphant high school band program, not to mention heaps of money. An army of local band members put their school colors to the test last weekend at the fourth annual Field Festival of Music, hosted at Oakmont High School.Playing an instrument in a high school's marching band is much like playing a sport. All the same elements apply: physical conditioning, emotionally attached parent boosters and practices, practices, practices.Many a late night is spent blowing hot air through woodwinds, cleaning spit valves, tightening drum skins and polishing marching shoes. And through the exhausting 100-degree summer band camp, bone-chilling 40-degree weekend night practices, students remain dedicated to the music."Every band has a different style," said Oakmont Music Director Ritchey Hodge. "They try to portray the music in different ways to appeal to judges. It can be a real crap shoot."Hodge's Royal Blue Regiment, the official title of the Oakmont's 140-member field performance entourage, was the host for last Saturday's competition. They performed a three-movement interpretation of passion that included faith, love and conflict.As the host school to last Saturday's event, the Oakmont Vikings band did not compete with the other 10 schools, but performing in exhibition did not relieve any pressure, Hodge said. "There is pressure to represent your school, your campus, even in exhibition," said faithful booster Richard Castle. Their son Tom plays baritone with the Royal Blue Regiment.Most bands began rehearsing their routines for the event in late August at the beginning of the school semester.Ten schools from the Sacramento region, including Roseville and Granite Bay High Schools, competed for top honors and the affection of the judges at the Field Festival of Music. At each competition the likes and dislikes of the judges can vary dramatically. What saves a band one weekend may bury the same group the next week.At the Oakmont competition, the first competition of the year, performers were given 15 minutes to assemble, play, perform and remove any props from the field. If teams were late or lacking organization heavy point deductions would be suffered from several scored categories. It isn't just about the music.I love this," said senior Oakmont mellophone player Justin Kerr. "This is my favorite show of the year."Kerr said he was interested to see some friends from McClatchy High School show their stuff on his field, while he admitted Granite Bay High is always a fierce competitor in the local band scene."The first competition is exciting," said Granite Bay High School Emerald Brigade marching instructor Efrain Hinojosa. "This group has come a long way since we began practicing this summer." This season is the first year for Granite Bay sophomore Carson Schmidley to be the band's drum major. He feels the Emerald Brigade has been a success through the last several years because they are so focused."We are set on tradition and we've all become a family. We all have the drive to build a great program," Schmidley said. "I love being on the receiving end and seeing the whole picture from the podium (where he stands to conduct the band)," he said. "Band competitions grew out of field performances for football," said Roseville High School Musical Instructor Mark Toffelmier. "This one happened to be very relaxed for the kids, compared to some more crazy competitions with 20 some bands performing."Toffelmier also noted the Oakmont Field Festival has the unique opportunity for instructors to meet face to face with judges at the end of the competition to discuss individual performances. The Vikings also host a social in the evening for students from all 11 high schools to mingle."Nobody does the party thing," Toffelmier said. "It gives a chance for the kids to get to know one another, instead of just packing up their instruments and going home."Roseville High School, with 57 performers, is one of the smaller programs in the area. Toffelmier and senior drum major Ian Evans presented four songs from Disney's "The Jungle Book.""This is a really good competition to start the year out on," Evans said. "I know the seniors of this group want to start setting a precedent for the freshman to appreciate and respect."To comment on this story go to www.rosevillept.com.