By Samantha SLAYBACK

The Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music – CVIM – marching band performed for the second time in the Capistrano Field Show Competition in October. The competition splits music groups into categories based on size. Including the color guard, drum line and band, the CVIM group included 120 members, placing them in the 4A category of the competition.

“Our show was entitled ‘Age of Invention’ and we earned a score of 82.5 which was a five point increase from our last competition at La Habra,” said CVIM Music Director Mathew Schick. “The students practice about nine to 10 hours a week in preparation for field show competitions and parades.”

Preparations started for CVIM at camp in July where students spent up to three weeks learning the music and drill before the school year began. The groups’ hard work and practice paid off, earning CVIM the second place spot in a category of seven groups.

“I am proud of the students on how well they improved,” said Schick. “Our parent group has been extremely supportive as well, chaperoning, feeding the kids, and helping to transport equipment at every event.”

The following day, the jazz band performed at Travel Town’s Depot Days in Griffith Park.

“This is always a fun event where the jazz band plays traditional swing jazz from the ’30s and ’40s to help Travel Town celebrate Depot Days and the glory and importance of the railway system, which built America,” explained Schick.

The band performed songs such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “April in Paris,” “In the Mood,” “ Sing, Sing, Sing” and “American Patrol” among others.

Including the weekly Friday night football games, this event was the third in three days for the many CVIM members who are both jazz band and marching band members. But, according to Schick, the members were well prepared and received positive feedback from the organization and audience members on how well they played.

Since October, the CVIM program performed at another competition where they placed first out of nine bands.

“We competed on Nov. 14 at semi finals and earned third place out of 19 bands. We were only .05 points away from second and .45 away from first,” said Schick.

The band is preparing for the Southern California Band Championships on Nov. 21 at Huntington Beach High School. Only the top eight bands compete at Huntington Beach High School. “We are all very excited!” added Schick.

Once the big competitions are behind them, CVIM begins to ramp up for the holidays. Both the wind ensemble and string orchestra will be practicing holiday pieces while continuing to practice for winter performances.

  Samantha SLAYBACK