Southern Utah University’s Thunderbird Marching Band traveled to Las Vegas on Oct. 26. The band performed an exhibition to close out the Ed W. Clark High School “Tournament on the Turf” marching band competition. This event allowed the T-Birds to recruit and expand its influence throughout Utah and Nevada. Organized by the Clark Charger Marching Band, the contest took place in the high school’s football stadium from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Throughout the day, 13 high school bands from Clark County School District competed. Over 1,000 students and their families attended the event.
“We live in an area, Cedar City, where we have two high schools, one of which has a marching band. Students we have in our band currently come from Cedar City, St. George and Salt Lake City,” said Band Director David Torres. “Many people in Las Vegas don’t know that SUU exists, so we’re going down there to show them.”
For the event, the Thunderbird Marching Band performed its traditional pregame routine and one of its halftime shows, “Divas.” The performance brought together sounds of female artists such as Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now,” Beyoncé’s “CUFF IT” and Aretha Franklin’s “A Natural Woman.”
“That was a nice show,” said Ethan Santos, trumpet player in the Desert Oasis High School Band. “The trumpets were really good, especially at the cadenza.”
Along with the cadenza, which is the part where the band stops and solos are played, the show featured several elements highlighting the musical and technical prowess of the Thunderbird Marching Band members.
Three color guard members threw six rotations tosses on rifles, and a dance break was performed during the drumline solo break, all under the applause of the crowd.
“That was freaking amazing, everybody was locked in,” said Joseph Peterson, drum major of the Thunderbird Marching Band. “I don’t know where [the members] got the energy from and I don’t know where I got it too, but it was the best performance of the season so far.”
At the awards ceremony, high-school students received prizes accompanied by the rhythmic percussion of the Thunderbird Marching Band’s drumline.
“I thought it was very fun, very creative and it reached all the audience,” said Denise Atandi, color guard coach at Las Vegas Centennial High School. “I think I have a student who’s interested in joining.”
During the day, SUU’s band had a booth where they gave out information and answered questions about the program. Several students stopped by to find out about upcoming events and ways to learn more, such as through the band’s Instagram and website.
“I think it did exactly what it needed to do. There was a lot of energy, and the crowd really dug it,” said band director Torres. “That’s why we’re here.”
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor:Tessa Cheshire
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson
Photos by Jam David Photography
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