By Jabe BELL

Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS) band made history at its recent competition at Gahr High School in Cerritos earning a score of 89.775, which is the highest score in the history of CVHS. The previous high score was attained during finals competition in 2019 when the band earned 89.5 at Huntington Beach High School. Since the new high score wasn’t set during finals there are still two more chances to soar above that.

In many ways, the 2024 Marching Falcons and 2019 Marching Falcons couldn’t be more different. Among the differences are a new crop of students and parent volunteers, brand new uniforms and new hires on the coaching and creative teams. But in many ways the creative and musical spirit that fuels the entire CV Instrumental Music program has stayed in full force. 

This year’s show, titled “Oasis,” explores the story of the search for water in a vast and dry desert. In addition to complex music featuring many styles and soloists, “Oasis” boasts some of the most visually and mechanically impressive props CVHS has ever put to the field. These set pieces include front-drops with an oasis design, clusters of palm trees, sand dunes that the band and guard members walk upon and in the finale a massive piece of blue fabric sweeps over the field that represents water. There are so many moving parts that an additional U-Haul truck was needed to transport everything to and from performances.

The final performances for the CVHS Marching Falcons are this Saturday, Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at California High School, 9800 Mills Ave. in Whittier and the CSBC state finals on Saturday Nov. 23 at Huntington High School, 1905 Main St. in Huntington Beach (time TBD).