Multiple districts — The opportunity to bring the four Wyoming high school marching bands together for a Saturday afternoon performance was a great way to build the band community, said junior Cody Liang, a Kelloggsville marching band drum major.
Kelloggsville, Wyoming, Godwin Heights and Lee high school marching bands performed at the annual Wyoming Friendly Invitational Sept. 14 on the Wyoming High School football field.
“It is not designed to be a competition,” said Wyoming Band Director Shawn Gurk, whose band hosted the event. “It is a chance for us to be showcasing all that we have been doing so far.”
The event kicked off with each band performing their school fight song, followed by the Kelloggsville marching band performing the national anthem. Each band performed their halftime show as audience members clapped and cheered. After the performances, the students spent time getting to know one another and sharing tips.
“I find this to be a really good event,” said Noemi Fragoso, Godwin Heights senior and drum major. Noemi noted that Godwin Heights is the only band of the four to compete in Michigan Competing Band Association events. The other three are in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
“I like being able to see the other bands, as we don’t get to see their performances,” Noemi said. “It’s great to be able to learn from their experience and what they are doing.”
Ximena Gonzalez, Godwin Heights senior and drum major, said she has friends in the other bands so the invitational is a chance to cheer them on along with visiting with them.
At least one participant also pointed out the cultural diversity of band members.
“We often are performing with larger bands who don’t look like us, so it’s really cool to see people who look like us performing,” said Jaylynn Madison, Lee senior and drum major, adding for that reason, the event brings the local band community a lot closer.
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