Taking the Field / 25 high school bands compete in Davis Cup
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By BETH YOUNG
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
KAYSVILLE -- For Ashley Ballard-Sume, the head drum major for the Davis High School marching band, performing in the Davis Cup competition is like putting a puzzle together.
"You have the drum majors that are one piece, the woodwinds and brass, percussion and the color guard that are another," she said. "So when it all fits together, you are like, 'This is what the puzzle is supposed to be.' It's awesome."
Marching bands from Provo to Pocatello, Idaho, -- 25 in all -- gathered on the Davis High School football field Tuesday night to put their puzzles together for the 35th annual Davis Cup Invitational High School Marching Band Competition.
"We start (practicing) in May, so it's four or five months of work to come to these competitions and finally get to perform in front of judges," said Jason Petrovich, band director of Hyrum's Mountain Crest High School, one of the bands that competed.
The Davis Cup -- originally named for the school district, now hosted at Davis High School -- is one of the largest marching band competitions in the state.
"The Davis Cup is the longest, continually running marching band contest in Utah," said Steve Hendricks, Davis High band director. "It's got the most history, the most tradition of any of the shows. We have a traveling trophy that goes with the winning band that has a plate that lists every winning band. It's just a really neat event."
Marching bands perform at parades and various sporting events, but it is the competitions with other bands, such as the Davis Cup, for which they work so hard.
"Once you get to the competitions, you know why people do this," said Ballard-Sume, a senior. "I get really excited. I get goose bumps when I am out there. Holy cow, this is what I and the entire band have been working for. It's a big rush."
The event is a tradition that often fills the stands with supporters.
"It is so fun to watch," said Kristin Steed, Davis Cup publicity chairwoman. "Last year was horrible weather and we were still packed. Parents come from Pocatello, American Fork. There are parents and students that long after they leave Davis High, continue to support it."
While every band would like to take the trophy home, Hendricks said marching band is different than other high school competitions. "The marching band activity is very unique," he said. "The bands all support each other, cheering for each other. And yes, we want to take first place, don't get me wrong, but at the same time it's more about individual excellence and developing as a team."
Winners are determined by professional marching band judges. "We fly in judges from out of state," Steed said. "Most hail from California, because marching bands are huge in there." Judges are not the only ones who are watching the bands closely for talent.
"Scouts come to these marching band competitions to scout out for larger scale competitions -- even the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade," Steed said. "It's a big deal."
The Davis Cup has bands of all sizes, from Class A, which has 35-50 members, to Class AAAAA, which has 200-250 members. Trophies are awarded for first, second and third in each class for percussion, music, visual and color guard.
This year the competition included recognition of James Wayne, the Davis High School band director who founded the Davis Cup in 1973. He died Aug. 27 at the age of 87.
"Davis High marching band became huge in the '70s when they had a phenomenal director," Steed said. "He built it up to such a level that it has become a very important part of the Davis High School society."
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Davis Cup Marching Band Competition Results:
Class 5A (Largest Class):
1st Place: American Fork High School
2nd Place: Davis High School
3rd Place: Sky View High School
Add Your Comment
I think that all of the bands did great, but I do think that more should have been said about all the schools, instead of just Davis. Although I love Davis more than life itself.
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