Southland College Prep’s Ambassador Marching Band Has Memorable Day at Northwestern University’s Massed Band Event on Ryan Field, Evanston
RICHTON PARK, IL. –(ENEWSPF)–September 7, 2017—Having an opportunity to play at a Big Ten football game proved to be a memorable experience for the 90 members of the Southland College Prep Ambassador Marching Band when they participated in Northwestern University’s High School Band Day at Ryan Field, Evanston last Saturday afternoon.
“This wonderful experience let our students know that the world of band exists and prospers all around the State of Illinois,” said Joseph Lawrence, Southland’s band director.
“Our students had an opportunity to mingle with members of 16 other high school bands and share the same interest in making music with them. And, playing alongside the Northwestern University Marching Band provided a life-long impression of what can be accomplished with dedicated practice habits and determination. It gave our students a glimpse of what it will be like to perform in a college or university band setting,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence, together with Dr. Carl Cogar, Southland’s band marching coach and Ron Harrigan, associate director, accompanied the Southland College Prep Band when it participated in a massed band performance with other high school units from around the state and the Northwestern University Marching Band during a half-time show at the Northwestern vs. Nevada game.
Southland drum major Jaylin Marks, a senior, noted, “I shall never forget the explosiveness of the opening pre-game show staged by the Northwestern Marching Band.”
Junior Band member Maureen Tchatchoua said, ” I can see how long hours, hard work and practice are needed by everyone involved to make a half-time show memorable for the audience.”
Anu Solola, a sophomore, noted, ” I learned that playing in a Mass Band Performance requires strict discipline and acute listening skills because you have to not only watch the conductor and your own drum major, but you must listen to what the other bands are playing and ensure that you are synchronized with them as well.”
Band percussion section leader, Jordan Dixon, explained, ” working with percussionists from schools such as Downers Grove South, Evanston Township, Maine South, Lake Zurich, plus the Northwestern University’s percussion section, showed me that Southland’s band was prepared enough to interact with students from across the state of Illinois and with a Big Ten university group. This is an accomplishment that I would have never dreamed of doing in a million years.”
“The Northwestern University Massed Band Day was a wonderful event for the Southland College Prep Ambassador Marching Band to open its 2017-2018 season. This is a most talented and dedicated group who bring a large measure of joy to so many who have the opportunity to see and hear them play,” said Dr. Blondean Davis, Southland College Prep’s CEO.
Southland College Prep’s Ambassador Marching Band’s next two major performances are the Richton Park Veterans Day Parade on Sauk Trail, Saturday, November 11 and the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on State Street in downtown Chicago on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23.
Source: http://www.pcipr.com
