Setting it straight

Setting it straight

A brief story on B4 of Sunday’s Local & State section incorrectly identified Beyer High School from Modesto as the sole sweepstakes winner at the Golden State Tournament of Bands. Beyer won the sweepstakes award for smaller marching bands. Clovis West High School won the sweepstakes award for larger bands.

Bring back the bands

Thank you so much for the recent band coverage. These athletes are so often overlooked.

My pet peeve: TV dismissal of marching bands. The recent University of Southern California and the University of California at Berkeley football game is an example. At half time, I would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the wonderful Trojan band and, I am sure, Cal has a band of equal talent.

What was aired? Aging football players discussing the first half that we just watched!

Let the band play

Thousands and thousands of dollars have been invested in the 200-plus, great Fresno State marching band. On Sept. 18, the band played all of six minutes at halftime. We stayed after the game to listen to the band. The tribute to Dan Brown (“Danny Boy”) was fabulous.

Why then do we have halftimes with wheel-barrow runs, the eyes, the catch the ball in a tub, the field goal kick and whatever else? This takes away from the time for the band to entertain us.

I guess it is money, money, money. Get rid of these ridiculous antics and let the band play.

Western Carolina University band to Rose Parade

Western Carolina University's marching band has topped off an award as one of the country's best with an invitation to perform at the Rose Parade.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday that the North Carolina university's band has been invited to perform in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Band director Bob Buckner made the announcement after the Cullowhee school celebrated a previous honor during halftime of last Saturday's homecoming football game against Wofford.

'Memorable weekend'

I thank The Bee for the outstanding coverage of the Western Band Association Marching Band Championships held Nov. 18. Your reporting gave readers a wonderful insight into an activity that too often goes unrecognized.

The hours of hard work the young performers put in to making their shows successful builds character as well as musicianship. Congratulations to all of the bands for a memorable weekend of competition.

Mark Bacciarini