Good HS Sousaphone Section

[Ace]

I ran across this on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwqWxQYy-18" target="_blank

Very good HS band in little Arcadia, California----population 56,000. Fifth most expensive housing in U.S., average home
$1,700,000. 60% Asian kids in HS. I was very impressed with this HS band. Must have some great instructors in their school music program. The Sousaphone section is well-balanced, none of the vulgar blatting so common in some HS bands and some college marching bands. It occurs to me that families with high income can pay for good instruction and instruments for their children, and provide lots of encouragement and discipline. Arcadia is located close to Los Angeles where there is abundant high-quality music teaching.

Ace

[Leland]

Pretty danged good. You know the musicians are tight when the most glaring issue -- relatively speaking -- is one of the snares marching a bit out of phase.

[ral1988]

There's a great parade band tradition down in Southern California.

I did the acardia band review two years when I lived in San Diego. It was amazing how many great Hs music programs are out there.

I'm currently doing a regular army band gig, and I hate how terrible the sound and instruction they teach.

[graybach]

One of their band directors, Seth Murphy, is a euphonium player. He and I were at the same college together for a year and even shared a recital together, as I am a tuba player. He was all about the music in college, and I’m not surprised his band sounds like that. They sound great. That is true music education at work.

[groth]

And to think this band was even more precise and awesome back in the late 70's and early 80's if you look up "Long Beach Band Review". The street band has somewhat been dethroned as of late due to different staffing but the sousaphone section now all plays on newer 4 valve Jupiter horns. (Wondering where all those old King's went after they retired them). I also believe they are holding the horns at a high and tight military angle, this school is/was known for this look.

[groth]

If you look at each player's left arm and hand, they are taught to keep upward pressure on the body of the sousaphone to keep the "at attention" look while performing (especially in front of the judges' stand) and regardless of neck/bit angle. It is easier over time to play with it completely on your shoulder instead of like this, but as long as all the bells are straight marching forward, it works and gets the band overall showmanship points. (Hoss in my avatar is demonstrating the correct angle and posture IMO).

[Ace]

And to think this band was even more precise and awesome back in the late 70's and early 80's if you look up "Long Beach Band Review". The street band has somewhat been dethroned as of late due to different staffing but the sousaphone section now all plays on newer 4 valve Jupiter horns. (Wondering where all those old King's went after they retired them). I also believe they are holding the horns at a high and tight military angle, this school is/was known for this look.

You mention the old All-Western Band Review held every year in Long Beach CA. My band (Corona CA) took the top prize Sweepstakes award in 1949. There were 95 bands competing. I was thrilled, of course. I remember the fantastic bands from the San Diego area, Grossmont High and Mt. Helix High. Bands have always been a big thing in southern California where there are large numbers of retired military and conservative people in the population, at least there were years ago.

Ace

[groth]

And to think this band was even more precise and awesome back in the late 70's and early 80's if you look up "Long Beach Band Review". The street band has somewhat been dethroned as of late due to different staffing but the sousaphone section now all plays on newer 4 valve Jupiter horns. (Wondering where all those old King's went after they retired them). I also believe they are holding the horns at a high and tight military angle, this school is/was known for this look.

You mention the old All-Western Band Review held every year in Long Beach CA. My band (Corona CA) took the top prize Sweepstakes award in 1949. There were 95 bands competing. I was thrilled, of course. I remember the fantastic bands from the San Diego area, Grossmont High and Mt. Helix High. Bands have always been a big thing in southern California where there are large numbers of retired military and conservative people in the population, at least there were years ago.

Ace

Well don't know about the last part, but yes the Band Review was indeed the All-Western in Long Beach. Late 70's and Early 80's belonged to Arcadia and Magnolia High Schools. I suppose every decade it was different as far as who was top dog as directors changed out and students came and went. Good times, good music!