Local bands dazzle once again at 49th annual Band-a-rama
Slightly smoky skies did little to hamper an otherwise beautiful November day and even less to dampen the spirits of the thousands who packed the bleachers at Rankin Stadium Monday afternoon to take in one of Porterville’s unique Veterans Day traditions — the 49th annual Frank “Buck” Shaffer Band-arama.
True to its decadesold tradition, this year’s event began with the Parade of Bands, during which each of the 12 middle school and high school bands performing made their entrance by the southern end zone and marched in front of the home grandstands — each group playing, twirling and saluting as they made their way around the track and took their designated places on the football field.
After emcee Don Dowling welcomed those in attendance and led them in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Porterville High School Panther Band — the traditional host band — led off the Parade of Bands and took their place on the field just south of the 50 yard line.
The Panthers were followed in the procession by the bands of Strathmore High School, Sequoia Middle School, Summit Charter Collegiate Academy, Burton Middle School, Granite Hills High School, Carl F. Smith Middle School, Monache High School, Pioneer Middle School, Cesar Chavez High School (Delano), Strathmore Middle School and Bartlett Middle School.
Pastor Chris Farrell of Lighthouse Church in Springville reminded the audience of the spirit of the occasion during his invocation as he asked for a special blessing for those who serve our country.
“Father we ask you to turn your gaze those men and women who, in
their military service, sacrifice time, comfort, strength, health and even their prosperity for the peace and safety of family, friends and people they have never known,” said Farrell. “Please reward them one hundred-fold for their sacrifice and their service.”
From there, the music did most of the talking. Under the direction of recently retired Panther Band director Jim Kusserow, the 1200-plus musicians and auxiliary members performed the Star Spangled Banner, ‘America the Beautiful’ and ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee.’
Next the majorettes and drill teams took center stage and performed twirling routines as the bands performed the hymns of the four branches of service. Veterans in the audience stood when their anthem was played.
The massed band then played the solemn hymn ‘Abide With Me’ as tribute to those who paid the supreme sacrifice with their service, then concluded with the lively ‘Promotion March.’
The bands then marched off the field in different directions to a collage of overlapping drum cadences to clear the way for the first of four field show performances.
First up was the Cesar Chavez Titan Band from Delano, who performed a show themed ‘It’s a Wonderful World.’
Granite Hills High School was up next with a ‘Phantom of the Opera’ themed show that featured local twirling sensation Brandon Ennis, who drew ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the bleachers with his soaring baton tosses and acrobatic movements.
Monache High School then performed their field show, which featured music from the Disney live show ‘Fantasmic.’ Youngsters in the audience exclaimed in delight as members of the MHS Drill Team changed into the familiar outfits of Disney Princesses such as Snow White, Belle and Jasmine during the performance.
Last to take the field was the Porterville Panther Band, whose ‘Light ‘em Up’ show featured the music of popular rock bands Fall Out Boy and Green Day. Near the conclusion of the their performance, the Panthers formed the fan favorite ‘company front’ — a single line of musicians stretching nearly the entire length of the field. As they slowly high-stepped toward the home bleachers, the crowd erupted in appreciative applause for the quality of all four performances.
For Kusserow, who took in the patriotic event largely as a spectator for the first time in nearly three decades, seeing the band dressed in Orange and Green perform was bittersweet.
“I’ll tell you what, when the band marched by I cried, so I don’t know if that’s just the way it is now or if I’ll get used to it,” said Kusserow.
He also commented on the significance of the Band-a-rama in Porterville and what the ongoing tradition says about the community.
“It’s a tribute first of all to Buck Shaffer for starting it and to the tradition this community has in supporting and remembering,” he said. “We never forget, and we’re always doing what it takes to honor those who serve, and this is just one small way to do that.”