September 21, 2007
'Music and Motion' set for Sept. 29 at McAndrew
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A selection of the finest area high school marching bands take the field at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's McAndrew Stadium beginning with a performance of the national anthem at 2 p.m. on Sept. 29.
SIUC hosts the Music and Motion high school marching band field show competition, which serves as the Youth Education in the Arts and the United States Scholastic Band Association's Southern Illinois Regional.
"This year we are honored to have representatives from the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps," said Andrew Tucker, director of SIUC's Marching Salukis. "We also are hosting in competition some of the finest bands in this region as they perform for an extremely recognized panel of adjudicators."
So far, marching bands representing Massac County High School, Pinckneyville Community High School, Carbondale Community High School and Marion High School are on the performance schedule, which is subject to change and addition until the day of competition. On the current schedule, the Marching Salukis take the field at 3:30 p.m.
A panel of six adjudicators scores the high school bands on such qualities as show coordination, musical performance and visual effect. Todd Wooten from Elk Grove Village judges the music effect and is the chief judge for the event. The awards ceremony currently is set for 3:50 p.m.
Tucker said the competition is a recruiting aid as it helps to promote some of the resources available to students who choose to attend SIUC.
"In my opinion, there are several important aspects for this event to be successful," he said. "Perhaps the largest is the collaboration between USSBA, the SIUC Department of Athletics and, of course, the SIUC School of Music. This event would not be possible without their support."