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In this article, Melanie discusses the band and guard's success in the 2024 fall championships.
The 2024 NWAPA Championships and our stellar show
The 2024 NWAPA Championships and our stellar show
By: Melanie Campbell
By: Melanie Campbell
On Nov. 2, 2024, our spectacular Grants Pass High School Marching Band and Color Guard traveled to Eugene to compete in the 2024 Festival of the Bands NWAPA Championships at the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium. This would be the last competition of their fall season, with much importance resting on it. According to KCBY News, the competition started with the preliminary competitions at 10:00 a.m., with finals scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. Grants Pass performed their preliminary run at 1:57 p.m., placing second with a score of 91.35. They later returned for their final performance at 8:30 p.m., earning first place with a score of 92.25 in the AAAA division.
The day began early, with a 7:00 a.m. call time. After boarding the bus, they traveled to Autzen Stadium, arriving at 10:30 a.m. The color guard began hair and makeup at 8:30 a.m. in preparation for their performance. After breakfast and warm-ups, they took the field for their preliminary run. Auxiliary Judge F. Feeney praised the color guard for being "high in vocabulary," recognizing their training and skill. Ridgeline earned first place in prelims, with top scores in visual and percussion. Grants Pass scored second, with a high score in music and guard, setting the stage for an exciting finals showdown.
The scoring for a marching band show is extensive. The championship competition was divided into two divisions: AAA and AAAA. Inside these divisions, the bands are scored in various aspects of their performance, including general effect, music, visual, auxiliary, and percussion. The general effect scoring is a score based on the overall visual and musical achievement and impact of the show. The music scoring is judged based on how the music was received, both individually and as an ensemble. The visual score is based on how the show looked visually, for individuals and as a total ensemble. The auxiliary score is a judgment regarding how well the color guard did, both in vocabulary and achievement. Lastly, the percussion is scored according to the musical and technical results of the drumming section. All of these aspects are added and totaled up in a final score.
Following prelims, the team had several hours to rest and eat before finals. Although they were 0.2 points behind Ridgeline, Grants Pass came out strong for their final performance, delivering their best run of the season. The team played and moved with passion, energy, and precision, inspired by a post-prelims pep talk from director Mr. Norfleet, who encouraged them to give their all in finals. This boost resulted in a 0.9-point improvement in their finals score.
Band Director Mr. Norfleet and Color Guard Director Lucy Ireland played vital roles in motivating the team. The band director's speech emphasized the unique championship experience and the importance of peaking in finals. Lucy Ireland reminded the color guard that other teams were equally determined to win, urging them to show they wanted it the most. This shared determination propelled the team to a stellar performance.
Visually, the finals performance was nothing short of exceptional. The stadium roared at every outstanding moment. The visual precision was noticeably sharper, with band members hitting their marks with greater precision, the Color Guard’s choreography was cleaner, and the overall visual score improved. Musically, the sound was sharper, both individually and as an ensemble, and the audience could practically hear the passion in the instruments. Improved music and visuals resulted in a higher general effect score, contributing to their success. Grants Pass earned high marks for effect, visual, music, and guard, capping off a spectacular season. This victory marked their sixth annual first-place finish, underscoring their consistent excellence.
Autzen StadiumImage by Ray Terill
After their finals run-through, the feelings were unmatched. As they awaited the results, relief, excitement, and pride filled the air. It was a moment of shared joy, knowing they had given everything. Dani Porterfield, a freshman member of the Clarinet section, was asked to describe the energy of the competition. She responded, "It was surreal. It made up for all of the hardship of the season."
Throughout the day, the energy surrounding the Grants Pass team was electric. The excitement was palpable; it was built up gradually throughout this wonderful day, and this was the moment it would finally peak. The moment that Ridgeline was named the second place winner was full of barely contained euphoria. They could hardly wait the extra two seconds until our school was called before cheering. The AAAA first place winner of the 2024 NWAPA Championships is Grants Pass! The crowd cheered (or more accurately, screamed) as the Color Guard captains and the Drum Majors accepted the reward. When Grants Pass was announced as first-place winners in the AAAA division, the cheers were so loud they could be heard throughout Eugene, and their joy was evident as they celebrated their hard-earned victory.
The 2024 Festival of the Bands NWAPA Championships was a truly unforgettable experience. From the final cheer to the exuberant celebration in the exit tunnel, the energy was extraordinary, and the emotions were beyond words. The bright lights and emotions of the night are something that band and guard students are sure to remember for decades to come. Their passion and unity were evident every moment, even in the sleepy 2 a.m. bus ride home. This made it a fitting end to an incredible season. Grants Pass High School’s Marching Band and Color Guard continue to prove themselves as one of the best in Oregon, a remarkable and connected team that truly deserves their stellar reputation.
Team Photo at finalsPhoto by Lucy Ireland
Sources:
Sources:
Interview with Dani Porterfield
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