LITHIA, FL – The Four-Time Florida Marching Band Coalition (FMBC) Finalist “Newsome High School Wolfpack Marching Band” will proudly host their
annual Marching Band Festival on Saturday, October 26th.
This event comes a week after Newsome placed 3rd in their class and 5th overall out of 27 area bands at the FMBC competition hosted by Tarpon Springs H.S.. Their score of 82.4 qualifies them to be one of the last AAAA bands to perform (top block seeding) in the upcoming FMBC state championships. This favorable placement, which is not an easy task to accomplish after only the first competition of the season, provides them a chance to be one of the top five bands, and advance to state finals.
The Newsome festival will include the talents of eight local area High School marching bands: Chamberlain, Trenton, Spoto, Leto, Springstead, Wharton, Weeki Wachee, Riverview and Robinson. Judged by a panel of experts, the bands will be rated and awarded according to their
musical talent as well as visual performance and effects. See the band’s festival website at http://www.newsomeband.com/#!music-festival/cz2r
for a complete list of adjudicators and awards.
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This will be the first festival under the direction of Michael J. Miller (Director of Bands), who comes to Newsome from Robert Vela H.S. (Edinburg, TX) where he served as Asst. Director of Bands. He holds a Master of Music degree in
Instrumental Conducting from UF, and amongst his numerous accomplishments, was a conducting drum major and trumpeter for the renowned Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps.
Lead by Drum Majors Danny Perez, Hannah Pucciarelli and Clarissa Leyda, the Wolfpack consists of 63 winds musicians, 34 percussionists, and 26 color guard members. The leadership council is led by Band President, Julian Gray, Brass Captains Carly Fitkin, and Paul Tanner, Woodwind Captain Kinsey Smith, Percussion Captain Kirby Kordsmeier, and Guard Captains Brianna Allen, and Alyssa Nazario.
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According to Mr. Miller, “The Newsome Band will be performing their 2013 production, “Immortal,” based off of the music of famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven. “Immortal” uses such pieces as Symphony No. 7, and the Pathetique Sonata to depict the eternal unrest of a group of vampires (played by the color guard)”.
After experiencing the complexity and innovation that IS “Immortal” it will be apparent why the 123 member ensemble has been practicing upwards of 25 hours per week since summer break began. The synchronous changes of the color guard flags culminates in an unexpected, unique transformation of the entire ensemble that’s not to be missed.
The event takes place at Newsome High School’s football stadium, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia. Gates open at 4 PM with bands performing throughout the day ending with Newsome’s presentation at 9PM. Judging commences at 9:15. Price of admission is $12 for Adults, $6 for kids 6-12 and kids under 6 get in free. Parking is also free. Festival food and ice cold beverages will be available throughout the day.
