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SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — The annual Band-A-Rama, which features performances from all four Utica Community Schools marching bands, will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Runkel Field, 39701 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights.
All four bands will perform their football game halftime shows. Band-A-Rama will begin with all four bands combining to play “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“As marching bands, we really are one big family even when we wear different uniforms,” Utica High School senior Drum Major Emma Phillips said in an email interview. “We support each other, cheer each other on, and it is fun to catch up with friends from other schools. You cannot beat the excitement of playing in front of our biggest fans — our friends, family and other marchers.”
At Band-A-Rama, the Utica High School Chieftain Marching Band will perform its show, “Sun, Moon and Stars.” The Eisenhower High School Eagle Marching Band calls its show “Colors and Hues.” The Stevenson High School Titan Marching Band will help the audience “Return to Broadway,” and the Henry Ford II High School Falcon Marching Band will perform its show, “Give and Take.”
“I have been coming to Band-A-Rama since elementary school to watch my older sister, Katherine, perform,” Phillips said. “I enjoyed seeing the bands supporting each other and perform in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The excitement and teamwork is motivating. In fact, my co-drum major, Lila Sapiano, and I became drum majors ourselves after watching our older sisters (Katherine and Gina) in the same drum major positions in 2020. They say history repeats itself, and it sure did in our situation!”
Band-A-Rama tickets cost $5 for adults and high school students. Junior high school and younger students will be admitted for free. Tickets will be available at the entrance.
The ticket proceeds will benefit the Louis Gonda Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, which supports UCS band students as they enhance their music educations. The school district reported that the Gonda Fund has helped hundreds of students over the years.
“This scholarship has helped students further their musical career by allowing them to participate in music camps and private lessons,” Utica High School Band Director Brett Bays explained.
“The show allows the community to see where UCS music funding goes and demonstrates to young musicians how fun and exciting being a part of the marching band can be. It is the greatest group of friends you will ever meet,” Phillips said.
In addition to Bays, the district’s band directors are Jonathan Carrothers, of Eisenhower High School; Matthew Schoenherr, of Henry Ford II High School; and Michael Sekich, of Stevenson High School.
“Utica Community Schools continues to be honored at state and national levels for the high quality of its music program. For the eighth time, the district was selected as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by NAMM,” Bays said, referring to the National Association of Music Merchants.
For more information, visit www.uticabands.org.
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