2007 SHOWCASE of Marching Bands

[NewsCopy]

There's no doubt where Lafayette High band director Scotty Walker wants his musicians' focus to be each autumn, and the results show. The Lions captured the Grand Champion title at last weekend's Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands at UL's Cajun Field, capping five straight years atop a competitive heap of the state's best bands. "The last five years, we've been fortunate enough to be up there," said Walker, in his 14th year at LHS. "This is as close to state (band) championship as we have, and we've done well, but it's really about all the programs and it's good for Lafayette. "There are 32 bands there, and there's a full audience on the home side. Cajun Field is an ideal place to hold it." "It's totally for the kids," said Raymond Guidrich of Lafayette Music Co., the sponsor and founder of the event. "Thirty-two bands is the most I'll allow, and we have bands waiting in line to compete. The rest of the story Bruce Brown bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[Jason]

_ Great day of performances from all 32 bands! Crowd of 12,000!

Results:

1. Lafayette High-Overall Grand Champion, Most Outstanding percussion, colorguard, and soloist
2 Vandebilt
3. St. Amant
4. Catholic High-BR
5. Fountainbleu
6. Erath
7. Northshore
8. Comeaux
9. Haughton
10. St. Thomas More

This is Lafayette's 5th consecutive showcase Grand Championship _

Man, the bands have downsized in the last 10 years... I graduated from Acadiana in 99 and our band was huge. At that time Comeaux always won showcase... Sad to see that less people are in band, as it is a great experience. It is hard work for these kids, and they should be commended for not being lazy like it seems more and more are.

[cajungirl23]

Congrats to all the bands. It's too bad that Bruce Brown can't spell Raymond Goodrich's (owner of Lafayette Music) name correctly in the article. I mean seriously, how difficult is it to check facts and spelling before sending things to print?

[TigerBandDad]

Yes, some bands are noticeably smaller, but others have increased. Lafayette High has around 300 in the program.

[Franklin]

Hello from Haughton, LA!

The "Big Red Band" from Haughton High School was so pumped for being invited to the Showcase! To earn 9th place overall was amazing! They're still celebrating! They, just like the others, have worked so hard toward this event.

I'm a band parent and I must say the entire experiece at the Showcase was awesome! From the students taking tickets, to the students selling T-shirts, and everyone in between, your hard work was so appreciated. Everyone was so friendly and helpful.

Congrats to all the bands and their Directors. The whole day was full of memorable performances. It is so obvious that you have worked very hard since last summer to get ready for Showcase.

May God bless. Take care.

Franklin

PS The gumbo at a place called Guidry's capped off a perfect day! Wow!

[Cajunbander]

_ Man, the bands have downsized in the last 10 years... I graduated from Acadiana in 99 and our band was huge. At that time Comeaux always won showcase... Sad to see that less people are in band, as it is a great experience. It is hard work for these kids, and they should be commended for not being lazy like it seems more and more are. _

I KNOW!!

I graduated from AHS in 05, and with us leaving the band started going downhill. (Not to sound egotistical or anything.) We always had a big band. But when I graduated, we had like 20 people graduate from band, and too many people drop out, and not enough new people get in.

We always did well at Showcase. My four years in band we were always in the top 5 at least, except for one year. We did well playing music the judges didn't like. We played for the crowd. We played stuff like college bands play, none of that artsy-fartsy stuff. We had fun and the crowd had fun.

[mskitty70533]

They may have the better bigger band in the area, maybe I am partial, but lil ole Erath high school band puts on competition like a mini college. Watch out guys, we are getting bigger and better as time goes by. Oh, remember who got chosen to play at the Sugar Bowl this year. Wish us luck!!!!
Mskitty70533

[mskitty70533]

Hey Joh
Did you get my program booklet from Buddy??? It has all of the results in it for you. We are still Sugar bowl bound and looking for donations to get all of the chaperones there if you know anyone that wants to help us. Thanks
Lisa Sagrera

[BeauCajun]

_ Hey Joh
Did you get my program booklet from Buddy??? It has all of the results in it for you. We are still Sugar bowl bound and looking for donations to get all of the chaperones there if you know anyone that wants to help us. Thanks
Lisa Sagrera _

Lisa,

Send me a private message through this board. I'm always willing to help out our Bobcat band members.