1979 Flushing Raider Marching Band MBA Grand National Championships

The Flushing High School Raider Marching Band attended MBA Grand National Championships the first time in the summer of 1979 with the following musical selections:

"Ephiphany Eve in Piazza Navona" (IV. "La Befana") from Resphigi's "Feste Romane
"My Favorite Things" - "The Sound of Music"
"Pineapple Rag"
"Russian Easter Overture" - Rimsky-Korsakov (coincidently, also played by Sylva-Webster H.S.in their show!)

Although they won the "Open" division category, by a narrow margin of only .45 points ahead of Independance High School of San Jose, CA, it was an "A" division band, The Sylva Webster "Golden Eagle" Marching Band from Sylva, NC, that ultimately claimed the Grand National title with a lofty 89.45! This in spite of drawing the "short straw" and having to perform their show first.

Coincidently, several of the competing bands in this competition groups have posted their 1979 shows over 30 years later, since September, 2010:

Sylva-Webster (Winner "Class A" and Grand National Champion):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXGqvQv0zFw&feature=related

Independence ("Open Class 2nd place with a narrow .45 margin):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6u7fopwbPo
(*Independance High School went on to win the Grand National title in 1981.*)

Crystal Lake Heraldry Guard (Best Rifles and Flags):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcr4beVme-Q

37 bands competed at the 4th annual MBA Grand National Championships in 1979. The top 12 in finals were:

"A" division
1. 89.45 Sylva-Webster Golden Eagles, Sylva, NC
2. 84.05 Hanover S. H. S. Marching Band, Hanover, PA
3. 77.55 Montecello Marching Sages, Montecello, IL
4. 75.55 Kosciusco High School Band, Kosciusco, MS
5. 72.20 Hilliard H.S. Marching Band, Hilliard, OH
6. 69.25 Oregon H.S. Marching Band, Oregon, WI

"Open" Division
1. 87.15 Flushing H.S. Marching Raiders, Flushing, MI
2. 86.70 Independance H.S. 76th Calvary Band, San Jose, CA
3. 85.80 Falls Church H.S. Jaguars, Falls Church, VA
4. 82.90 Crystal Lake Cen. and So. H.S. Heraldry Guard, Crystal Lake, IL
5. 78.95 Chesterton H. S. Trojan Guard, Chesterton, IN
6. 77.80 Tate H.S. Show Band of the South, Gonzalez, FL
(*Tate won the Grand National title the following year in 1980*)

Highest Achievement Awards:

Rifles - Crystal Lake
Flags - Crystal Lake
Drum Major - Tate
Marching Award - Flushing
Percussion - Independance
Auxilliary - Independance
Brass/Winds - Sylva-Webster
Best General Effect - Sylva Webster

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Michigan
• colorguard
• drumline
• marching
• band
• Flushing
• MBA
• Resphigi
• Feste
• Romana
• La
• Befana

[Matthudson2]

The opener, "Feste Romana", IV. "La Befana" remains one of my favorite classical pieces today because of this. I remember listening to a judges tape after one of the shows. She comments that the guard isn't doing anything at 3:28; that there should at least be something happening. Then she absolutely freaks out when the entire guard stands up with double flags that are a completely different color at 3:40! Wish it featured better on this recording.

[oznark]

Wow...never saw this show.  Jealous of the huge drumline!