Local marching bands step into competition season (2024)

Catherine.Crow

WATERLOO — Marching bands from Waterloo high schools took their shows on the road to competitions in Cedar Rapids on Saturday.

The East High School Marching Band spooked the judges with its show “Ghost Ship,” while West High School showed off its “Black Swan” routine.

West High participated in two contests in Cedar Rapids on Saturday.

The band kicked off in the morning at the Bands Across the Prairie competition at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School. The unit placed fifth in the 4A class portion of the contest.

West High band Director Jason Dobbs said Monday the band has “made tremendous progress” and that “performances this week were exceptionally better.”

Last week the band struggled a bit on its routine. Since then, Dobbs said, “They really improved on marching.” On Saturday, the band was able to perform 100% of the “Black Swan” show.

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Local marching bands step into competition season (1)

It performed the same show later Saturday at the Five Seasons Band Invitational, earning fourth place. The band also received third in percussion and third in music. “We improved our score from the previous competition,” said Dobbs.

Local marching bands step into competition season (2)

One asset band members were thankful for Saturday was their new uniforms. The uniforms have layers, and with the warm weather Saturday that paid off, allowing marchers to present a professional appearance while being performance ready.

Band parents also helped out, providing food, water and other essentials. Dobbs said he’s “really proud of our parent team,” and that “they play a really big part in the competition.”

West’s next round of competition will be Oct. 12 in Dubuque for the State Marching Band Festival.

East High

East High School also participated in the Bands Across the Prairie competition. Despite battling wind and heat, the band pulled off a strong performance of its show, “Ghost Ship.” Director Joelle Smith said, “The band put out the best performance of the season, and the best, so far, in Trojan history.”

Local marching bands step into competition season (3)

The score was the highest the school’s band has ever earned, “not only at this festival, but also at any festival we have ever participated with,” Smith said.

The band finished sixth.

The students were able to pick up the routine for the show quickly.

“The band learned the show tremendously faster than usual. We were ahead of schedule by about a week, again, something that has not happened in my career here,” Smith said.

For the next set of contests Oct. 12 the band will work on adding more visuals and fine-tuning the routine. East High is set to perform at the State Marching Band Festival in Dubuque and the Muskie Marching Band Invitational in Muscatine. This will be East’s first time participating in the Muscatine Invitational.

PHOTOS: Cedar Valley high school's 2024 marching band seasons

Photos of the East, West and Cedar Falls high schools' bands from marching camp and football halftime shows during the fall of 2024. Photos by Chris Zoeller and Jim Nelson.

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Local marching bands step into competition season (2024)
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