By Director Ben Rozier
In the last week of July, students reported for marching basics camp where they learned the basics of playing an instrument while marching with proper technique. This rolled into a week away in Indiana where the show “INK” started taking shape.
After a few football game performances, the Big Red Machine (BRM) headed out to compete. On the first competitive weekend they were able to take away a 2nd place award in Class A at Otsego High School, and with that, a best color guard caption award. They traveled that same day to Portage Central High School and captured first place in Class A, best color guard, best percussion, best marching, and best music. They were the best band that night in Portage, taking away the Grand Champion Trophy for having the highest score of any band performing.
The second competitive weekend saw the BRM travel to Cedar Springs and take all the awards again with first place in Class A. They traveled that same evening to Hastings and took best color guard and first place again in Class A competition, breaking a tie with Petoskey with their Best Music award.
The Big Red Machine kept it local for homecoming week and then hosted MSBOA festival which saw them receiving a Division I rating with all A’s on every judge’s sheet. That weekend the Bulldog Invitational was another huge success with 17 bands performing. The evening finished by featuring Vicksburg and Otsego High School’s drumlines in a faceoff.
The Big Red Machine finished its competitive season with a trip to East Kentwood, competing against 25 other bands. The Big Red Machine took first place in class A with a score of 96.6 while also winning the caption award for best music. By winning the class, the BRG completed the season with an 80% win rate. They competed against over 40 schools and were only beaten once. Also, by scoring a 96.6 this past weekend, the BRM earned the highest score in Vicksburg band’s history. It was an incredible season.
Competitions
Otsego- Second Place in Class A; best colorguard
Portage Central- First Place Class A; best color guard, best percussion, best marching, best music, Grand Champion
Cedar Springs- First Place Class A; best color guard, best percussion, best marching, best music, (no grand champion trophy given)
Hastings- First Place Class A; best color guard, best music
MSBOA Festival- Division I rating with straight A’s
Vicksburg Bulldog Invitational- no places awarded
East Kentwood-First Place, Class A, Best Music Award
Dates
District XI Middle School Honors Band (Plainwell)- November 7
Kalamazoo Holiday Parade- 11/19
Middle School Christmas Concert- 12/21
High School Christmas Concert- 12/22