Mark DiOrio / Daily SunMichael Pickrell, left, plays the sousaphone, and Marty Dzuro, right, plays the mellophone Monday during a practice session of The Villages High School marching band at the high school.

VHS marching band prepares for its first evaluation

By JESSICA SHUMAKER, DAILY SUN

Monday, November 2, 2009 11:58 PM EST

THE VILLAGES — Under the watchful eye of Music Director Robbie Riddle and band parent David Hancock, members of the Villages High School marching band practiced their music and their marching Monday night, working to get every note and step just right.

The group is polishing its performance techniques for Saturday afternoon, when it has its first-ever music performance assessment, or MPA, as a marching band. The band’s performance will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Leesburg High School’s stadium.

“They’re going to make The Villages proud,” said Robbie Riddle, music director. “I’m already on cloud nine with what they’ve done this season. And for us it’s just another show, we’re going to go out there and have fun.”

The eight-minute performance will include three songs. Riddle said the music includes John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post March,” as well as a tribute to The Doors.

Riddle said that it will be an exciting performance.

“We have a color guard, the best instrumentation we’ve had in the band’s short career, and the drumline is inspired,” he said. “They’re going to do a really fine show.”

At the MPA, the band will be evaluated on its color guard, music and the overall effect on marching. At 6:15 p.m., the band will find out the ratings at the award show.

Band members were feeling confident about their practice, as well as their upcoming performance.

“I think it’s going pretty good. I haven’t heard a lot of yelling from Mr. Hancock, but a lot of compliments,” said Dakotah Tucker, a freshman flute player.

Ashley Robison, a freshman who plays Trombone, agreed.

“I think we’re going to do well because we practice nearly every other day,” Robison said. “It’s a lot of practice, but the best part is that we get to have fun. This is probably the best we’ve done all year.”

Daniel Carter, a junior sousaphone player, said that they just had to work on some aspects of their performance.

“We’re trying to get our turns down, the fancy stuff,” Carter said. “We’re going to do pretty good Saturday.”

Junior trumpet player Chriss Muhlbauer also said there were areas to improve in.

“I think we have some work to do, but we can do with hard work,” Muhlbauer said. “We have a lot of new people who have just started playing their instruments last year, and they’re playing like rock stars already. It just takes a lot of heart.”

Riddle also commented on the progress the group has made.

“It’s remarkable how far these kids have come from three years ago, and twelve weeks ago,” he said. “There’s just a buzz about the band now, and it’s really nice.”

Jessica Shumaker is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9089 or jessica.shumaker@thevillagesmedia.com.