Members of the South Kitsap High School Marching Band, resting on their laurels after a marathon performance in the 2010 Rose Parade, may want to take note of some competition on the horizon in their own backyard.
The Kingston High School Buccaneer Marching Band is proving itself a force to be reckoned with. The band, formed three years when the high school opened, has entered the annual Battle of the Bands, sponsored by KZOK and The Rock Wood-Fired Pizza & Spirits. As of Thursday, they were in sixth place in the preliminary round of the contest, involving online voting via text messages.
The top 10 bands will be determine by online voting — up to 10 text messages per phone per day are allowed. The winner will be chosen Feb. 5 by a panel of judges. South Kitsap and Kingston are among 33 Washington high schools competing for a chance to win $10,000. The runner-up band wins $5,000. The band that shows the most spirit and effort will earn $2,500.
If I’m not mistaken, Kitsap County is unique in having two bands in the contest.
Let’s look at how things have gone so far for South Kitsap in the Battle of the Bands. Year One, 2008: The band is among the finalists and its performance of a medley of Beatles tunes, including “Magical Mystery Tour,” is included on a CD from the contest. Online voting that year was disrupted by a hacker. Year two, 2009: South Kitsap wins the popular vote hands down, but the panel of judges picks Liberty High School as the winner, placing SK third. That $10,000 would have so come in handy for the Rose Parade trip. Sign band director, Gary Grrrrrams.
This year, South Kitsap is at the top of its game, with a video performance of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a bad Name,” the same song they played block after block at the Rose Parade. Kingston, meanwhile, has stepped out with their video version of “Radar Love” by Golden Earring.
Check out both videos below, then exercise your rights as a citizen of the United States of Kitsap. Text to 24300. If you favor South Kitsap, vote rock28 (no spaces, hyphens etc). If you’re rooting for the underdog, Kingston, type in rock10. Or split your 10 votes per day. Heck, I don’t care. But whatever you do, show your Kitsap colors. After all, we are THE Washington hotbed of bands that rock. No?
South Kitsap High School – “You Give Love a Bad Name”
Kingston High School Band – “Radar Love”
I’m Paulla Santos and I am the Senior Drum Major of the SKHS Marching Band. Our main goal is to just make the top ten because then from there, it is all up to the judges. People have suggested to KZOK to allow the top bands to perform live in front of them so the contest would purely be judged on the music rather than visual effects and other distractions. I would assume that would be the fairest determination of the winners. As of the prize money, Mr. Grams and the drum majors have discussed, if we do end up winning any money, that we will donate it to the community during our participation in Relay For Life this coming spring. The community has supported us on getting to the Tournament of Roses Parade and it is only just for us to show them our gratitude. Of course if we do not place in the competition, we will still be participating in the event and raising money any way we can.
Paulla Santos
SKHS Sr. Drum Major
OH! Chris Henry, I do not know if you have heard but the govenor is signing a proclamation that is declraing January 26th, 2010: “South Kitsap High School Marching Band Day” in the state Washington for our efforts in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Just thought I’d let you know:)