Source: Frank Tracz, 785-532-3818, ftracz@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/band/csmf.html
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010

CENTRAL STATES MARCHING FESTIVAL OCT. 23 FEATURES HIGH SCHOOL BANDS AND THE PRIDE OF WILDCAT LAND

MANHATTAN -- High school bands from all over the Midwest will be marching their way to Kansas State University to perform at the 24th annual Central States Marching Festival, Saturday, Oct. 23.

Hosted by the K-State Marching Band, the Pride of Wildcat Land, the event is known as the premier marching festival in the state and is the largest of its kind in the region.

"This festival is an outstanding musical and educational experience, with great facilities, outstanding staff and great K-State care for all high school students and directors attending," said Frank Tracz, professor and director of bands at K-State. "We are very proud of this event, and we're excited to provide some purple hospitality to all."

The festival will feature performances by more than 30 high school bands culminating in a finale performance by the K-State Marching Band.

Performances will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Tickets are $5 for the general public. Admission is free for children 12 and younger and for all K-State students with their K-State ID.

In addition to performances, the festival's format also includes a one-hour clinic for each band, administered by the directors and staff of the K-State Marching Band; a video critique in the indoor facility immediately following their performances; and an evaluation from a panel of nationally recognized judges.

High school bands will be evaluated on their performance's general effect, repertoire, showmanship, coordination, musical and marching technique, musicianship, musical content, accuracy and definition of field drill, and visual content. Each band is then rated as superior, excellent or good based upon the evaluation.

The judging panel includes Larry Blocher, professor of music at Troy University; Jeanne Copeland, color guard instructor at K-State; Greg Coffey, drum line instructor at K-State; Peter Havely, retired director of bands from Missouri Southern State University; Ron Hufstader, director of bands from the University of Texas at El Paso; Phillip Payne, assistant professor of music at K-State; and James Oliver, retired band director from the Lee's Summit, Mo., public schools.

High school bands participating in the 2010 festival include:

Andover High School; Buhler High School; Clay Center Community High School; Field Kindley High School, Coffeyville; Derby High School; Dodge City High School; Emporia High School; Eudora High School; Goddard High School.

From Greater Kansas City: Gardner Edgerton High School, Olathe North High School, Blue Valley North High School, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Shawnee Mission North High School, Shawnee Mission West High School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, all in Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village; and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee.

Hutchinson High School; Junction City High School; Lansing High School; Leavenworth High School; Louisburg High School; Maize High School and Maize South High School, both in Maize; McPherson High School; Salina South High School; Scott Community High School, Scott City; Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh; Seaman High School and Washburn Rural High School, both in Topeka; Valley Center High School; and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School and Wichita High School North, both in Wichita.

A schedule of performances is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/band/csmf.html.