Source: Frank Tracz, 785-532-3818, ftracz@k-state.edu
Hometown connection: Arkansas City, Basehor, Buhler, Coffeyville, Derby, Dodge City, Emporia, Eskridge, Eudora, Goddard, Independence, Junction City, Lansing, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Louisburg, Maize, McPherson, Overland Park, Salina, Scott City, Silver Lake, Tecumseh, Topeka, Valley Center, Wamego and Wichita, Kan. Also for Lee's Summit and Platte City, Mo., and Enid, Okla.
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
Marching madness: K-State hosts annual Central States Marching Festival Oct. 15
MANHATTAN -- The sounds of marching bands will fill the air as Kansas State University prepares to host the 25th annual Central States Marching Festival, Saturday, Oct. 15.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for thousands of students to experience K-State and learn from our judges. The concept and format are very unique, and certainly the festival has grown in popularity and stature," said Frank Tracz, professor of music and director of bands at K-State.
The festival will feature more than 35 high school marching bands, making it the premier marching band festival in the state and the largest of its kind in the region. The event is sponsored and facilitated by the K-State Marching Band, the Pride of Wildcat Land.
Highlights of the event include individual performances by each of the bands, culminating in a finale performance by the K-State Marching Band.
Performances will take place from 10:30 a.m. 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.
High school marching bands will also participate in a one-hour clinic, administered by the directors and staff of the K-State Marching Band; a video critique in the indoor athletics facility immediately following their performances; and an evaluation from a panel of nationally recognized judges.
Evaluation criteria for each participant includes the 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; Becca Rogers, color guard instructor at K-State; Greg Coffey, drum line instructor at K-State; Timothy Yontz, band director at Wheaton College; David Montgomery, band director at Western Michigan; and James Oliver, retired band director from the Lee's Summit, Mo., public schools.
High school bands participating in the 2011 festival include:
Arkansas City High School; Basehor-Linwood High School; Buhler High School; Field Kindley Memorial High School, Coffeyville; Derby High School; Dodge City High School; Emporia High School; Mission Valley High School, Eskridge; Eudora High School; Eisenhower High School and Goddard High School combined band, Goddard; Independence High School; JunctionCity High School; Lansing High School; Lawrence Free State High School; Leavenworth High School; Louisburg High School; Maize High School and Maize South High School, both in Maize; McPherson High School; Blue Valley North High School, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Shawnee Mission West High School, Shawnee Mission South High School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, all from OverlandPark; Salina South High School; Scott Community High School, Scott City; Silver Lake High School;Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh; Seaman High School and Washburn Rural High School, both in Topeka; ValleyCenter High School; Wamego High School; and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School and Wichita High School North, both in Wichita.
From out of state: Platte County High School, Platte City, Mo.; and Enid High School, Enid, Okla.
A schedule of performances is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/band/csmf.html.
