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Here’s some information on the
South Kitsap High School Band that Director Gary Grams
submitted to the Tournament of Roses Association. When national
television announcers see the band marching down the street at the
Rose Parade, they’ll reference this information.
Gary Grams
I should mention that Tournament of Roses President-elect Sally
Bixby, who visited the band in June, told me yesterday that she was
especially impressed with the band given its size. Most of the
bands in the Rose Parade are at least twice as large as the Wolves’
band. Most have a larger staff, too. Grams gets it done with the
help of assistant director Michael Paul Koontz, and drum majors
Paulla Santos, James Damian and Simone Schaffer, who provide
essential leadership as well as literally leading the band in
performances.
Here’s Grams on Band History:
There is not a recorded history for the Band Program at SKHS, I
only know what has been told to me about the band. Back in “the
day” the SKHS Marching Band used to be called the Marching Machine.
They won every competition they went to for many years.
Now for a more recent history of the band. South Kitsap High
School is the largest 10-12 HS in the state of Washington with a
total enrollment of 2500+ students. We currently have over 100
members in the band program that participate in Concert Band, Wind
Ensemble, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and of course Marching Band.
When I arrived at SKHS I was the third band director in four
years and started out with 48 students. We have grown significantly
over the past seven years and now have over 100 students in the
program. We strive for excellence in everything we do and take a
lot of pride in the product that we produce.
In my tenure at SKHS the band and I have had many wonderful and
unique performing opportunities, such as performing for the
homecomings of three U.S. Naval ships: the USS Camden, the USS Carl
Vinson and the USS John C. Stennis.
For the last two years the marching band competed in a Battle of
the Bands competition sponsored by the Seattle radio station KZOK
and The Rock Wood Fired Pizza. Although the band did not win last
year, we were included on a CD of the top ten bands of the
competition. This year we won third place. The competition has been
a great experience for the band.
We have also participated annually in the Armed Forces Day
Parade in Bremerton, Washington (largest Armed Forces Parade in the
Country) in the Apple Blossom Parade in Wenatchee, WA., the Macy’s
Holiday Parade in Seattle, WA. and the Victoria Day Parade in
Victoria B.C.
The Marching Band also performs regularly in our community in
such events as grand openings and other special occasions.
Everything we do we strive for musical and marching excellence. Our
strengths lie in our powerful sound and musical accuracy as well as
marching excellence.”
SKHS Band’s Awards and Honors:
* KZOK and The Rock Wood Fired Pizza – Battle of the Bands
Competition, sponsored by KZOK Radio: 2008, Successfully recorded
“Magical Mystery Tour Medley” for a promotional CD from the contest
that included the top ten bands from the competition; 2009, won
popular vote in online competition to determine finalists, then
named to 3rd Place by panel of judges.
* Macy’s Holiday Parade—Seattle Washington (2005 to present): 2008,
Featured as opening musical act for parade; 2007, Award for Musical
Excellence; 2006, Best Marching Band.
* Yearly participation in the Armed Forces Day Parade in Bremerton,
Wa., (largest armed forces parade in the country), 2003 – present:
2009, 1st Place in our division; 2008, 1st Place in our division;
2007, 1st Place in our division; 2006, 2nd Place in our
division.
* Yearly Participation in the Husky Band Day, University of
Washington, Seattle, Washington, 2004 – present.
* Yearly participation in the Victoria Day Parade, Victoria, B.C.,
2003-present (except 2007 due to technical difficulties): 2009, 3rd
Place in our division; 2008, 3rd Place in our division.
* Played for the Homecoming of the USS John C. Stennis (aircraft
carrier) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington,
2003-04 school year.
* Played for the Homecoming of the USS Carl Vinson (aircraft
carrier) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington,
2003-04 school year.
* Played for the Homecoming of the USS Camden (support vessel) at
the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 2002-03
school year.
Other Parade Awards: 1st Place, Apple Blossom Parade, Wenatchee,
Wa.; 3rd Place, Victoria Day Parade, Victoria B.C.
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