The Ferndale HS Marching Band earned a 3rd place Bronze medal at the Michigan Competing Bands Association Flight 4 State Finals Championship on Saturday November 1 at Ford Field. In addition the band earned the Caption Award for Best Percussion, and came in 2nd place in General Effect and 2nd place in Auxiliary.
This marks the 23rd time in the last few decades that the FHSMB has earned a top three placement. Additionally, the band has won the State Championship in their flight 11 times since 2004. The band is 99 members strong (the single biggest activity at FHS by number of students involved), including 19 8th grade students from Ferndale MS, and is supported by a village of volunteer parents, instructional staff, and designers.
The show this year was "Kaleidoscope". Visually and musically it was just that, a kaleidoscope of color and sound. But additionally, the subtext was to celebrate the kaleidoscope of people from all backgrounds that make up our community and society at large. The composer selection was reflective of this, in that the music was all written by composers historically excluded from the Western canon: Chappell Roan, Carol Brittin Chambers, Katahj Copley, Sara Bareilles, and Alicia Keys.
Mr. Jamison, the Band Director, shared that "the band is so very much stronger than last season, and got better every single rehearsal from May through the end of October. The staff and I are incredibly proud of the work they did at State Finals, and every day. We can't wait to start again next spring, and get even better!"
