Durfee High marching band dazzled judges with a performance. They'll go to regional finals
FALL RIVER — The B.M.C. Durfee High School Marching Band is taking its show on the road after taking first place in its division at a competition Sunday afternoon — they're headed to New England finals next week.
Six bands took the field at Durfee High before a supportive crowd of family and friends in the bleachers and the eyes of judges from USBands. Students in the marching bands and color guards at Dighton-Rehoboth, Portsmouth, Blackstone-Millville Regional, Case, Bridgewater-Raynham and Durfee high schools brought their instruments and their A games.
“They have a whole show where they have props — they’ve got flags," said Dana Giglio of the Durfee Performing Arts Association.
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This was Durfee’s first year hosting a USBands competition event.
The band members and color guards performed elaborate choreography among bits of stage scenery rolled onto the bright green turf. Befitting the autumn season, more than one school’s performance dabbled with the spooky — Case students danced behind an iron gate where they'd set up gravestones for their eerie show. And the girls in Durfee’s color guard were decked in green velvet cloaks and glittering masks, waving banners of misty gray and blue.
“They compete all season starting in September,” said Jessica Sherry of the DPAA.
Each school performed for 15 minutes; Durfee’s show, featured the sinister “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach, “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack, and “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance.
Durfee won first place in its division, II/A, along with best visual effect and best overall effect. Julia Klingner, Durfee bands director, said putting together a performance is a team effort. Lead music ensemble instructor Ryan Lewis writes the drill and provides most of the choreography for the wind players, while music and visual instructor Janine Neprud assists with teaching the music and choreography. Erin Moulison, color guard instructor, plans their costumes, flags and choreography, and Pedro and Will Silva instruct the percussionists.
“We rehearse two to three times a week, and the kids bring all of the musical and artistic ideas to life,” Klingner said.
“We feel great about how we performed, especially getting to do so in our home stadium.”
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Case scored 82.0 points in its division, I/A. B-R won second place in the II/A division along with best music. In the III/Performance Class, D-R scored an Excellent rating. In the III/Open Class, Blackstone-Millville scored 90.3 points. In division IV/A, Portsmouth scored 70.4 points.
Case and B-R are set to represent their divisions in New England competition as well.
“We’ve come a long way this competition season,” Klingner said, “and are excited to finish strong at New England State Finals in Vernon, Connecticut, next weekend.”
Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Greater Fall River marching bands head to New England finals
