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“On account of the snow, all schools will be...CLOSED!” With that simple phrase, a snow day had begun, and Snow Day, the Cedar Cliff Marching Band’s 2009 program, was in full swing.

Snow Day was the story of one little boy, Max, and his adventures dur-ing a day off from school. It was laden with effects: a large and decorated house and bedroom set served as Max’s “home base,” poetical narration abounded to explain the storyline, oversized snow-flakes served as background props, visual moves throughout the band created a special interaction between Max and the marching members, and the guard added large snowflakes to their usual menagerie of flags and rifles.

In the regular season, Cedar Cliff consistently took first place at all four of their competitions. At Northern State Championships, the first competition of the post-season, the band came in fifth but jumped almost ten points in their score.

However, at National Champi-onships, “the band’s performance far exceeded every other showing of the season as the team made an unprecedent-ed push to improve in their last week before finals,” according to director Mr. Benjamin Goldsborough. This sentiment was echoed by the outcome of the show: Cedar Cliff was awarded second place with a score of 96.850, won the caption awards for high music and high overall effect, and came in a close second for the percussion award.

Ciara Puckett, a junior, explained the feeling best: “…there were a lot of

ups and downs [this season], but in the end we pulled through and had an awe-some show.”

Sometimes, though, it’s really not about what score you get or what place you come in. First place or fifteenth, it is still about the experiences you have and the lessons you learn, but people often forget that when they are caught up in the competitive spirit. “There’s something about laughing and crying and dancing and hugging all at the same time that creates something magical,” said freshman Mikhala Stevens when she was explaining her favorite moment of the 2009 season.

Junior Emily Williams, asked to describe her feelings about Snow Day, said that “…everyone has grown in some way because of what we faced through-out the season.” At the end of season banquet, Mr. Goldsborough echoed this sentiment when he expressed that, as a teacher, his goal for the band members was for them to have learned something during their time with him and the orga-nization – whether it was the “value of friendship,” the “power of a team,” or that “good enough” really is not enough.

By Michelle Dailey

Braving the rain, Anton Saliaris performs, hoisted by color guard member Ben Garrett. Anton portrayed "Max," the little boy who is the focus of Snow Day.At Red Land's show The Sounds of the Patri-ots, Cedar Cliff performs Snow Day's ballad. The band placed first in their group that day.

s c o r eRED LAND 70.125

LANC. CATHOLIC 75.225

BIG SPRING 80.850

SPOTLIGHT 85.800

NORTHERN STATES 95.038

NATIONALS 96.850

Photo by Dr. Getty

Photo by Dr. Getty

Photos by Camera Box

Photo by Karen Dailey

Spinning her flag, Emily Williams gives a graceful performance. The color guard was an impor-tant part of the marching band because it provided a visual aspect to each show. The band performs their closer after the Homecoming football game. Two days later, Cedar Cliff went to Northern States Championships and, although they came in fifth, jumped almost ten points.

MARCHINGCOLTSfinish big for third year in a row

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Marching with good technique, Alex Baldwin performs Snow Day at a football game. Playing her flute, URee Chon marches her show confidently. Guard members Madison Wagner and Jenn Palmer set up their flags and equip-ment used throughout the show. Concentrating deeply, Bleys Prescott and Kyle Ross focus on giving a good percus-sion performance. Alto saxophone players Jon Riley and Jacob Eleuteri join guard member Marissa Albano for the start of the show.Joining the brass section for a "form", Dawn-Michelle Lewis plays her piccolo.

Photo by Dr. Getty

Photo by Dr. Getty

At National Championships in Annapolis, Maryland, the Cedar Cliff Marching Band throws down their final performance of Snow Day. The band left the stadium that day with a score of 96.850, second place overall, first place in general effect and music, and second place in percussion.

Photo by Kim Dunlap

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Before their performance, Ian Chambers, Tom Lamm, Drew Martinelli, and instructor Matt Wagner head to their warm-up location.

LEADERSHIPFROMWITHINOn any given Tuesday or Thurs-

day afternoon, you might easily stumble upon a group of students gathered in the band room. This gathering is that of the Cedar Cliff Marching Band Student Leadership Team. This team's emphasis, according to Mr. Goldsborough, the band director, is on resolving problems of the band and promoting growth in a positive way.

The Leadership Team was created in 2007 by Mr. Goldsborough because he felt as if student leadership had been important in his own high school and college experiences. He said, "It works because the success or failure of the band is in the hands of the students."

Students have many different

Photo by Ms. Bowerman

Following their pre-game performance, Cedar Cliff pauses for the national anthem. The band then formed a tunnel with cheerleaders and young football players to welcome the varsity team.

Photo by Michelle Dailey

reasons for joining the Leadership Team. Senior tenor player Ian Chambers said, "I felt that I had experience that I could use to benefit the rest of the band and that I could use my knowledge and combine it with the knowledge of others to create a good environment for the band to succeed in." A different approach was taken by Katy Downs, a freshman flutist, who said, "I wanted to learn how to be a leader now so when it's time, I could be a really good leader."

According to Emma Raver, a junior baritone player, the Leadership Team is successful because rehearsals have been more effective, competitions have been better and "we've been more fired up."

Spinning her flag, Emily Williams gives a graceful performance. The color guard was an impor-tant part of the marching band because it provided a visual aspect to each show. The band performs their closer after the Homecoming football game. Two days later, Cedar Cliff went to Northern States Championships and, although they came in fifth, jumped almost ten points.

Photos by Camera Box unless noted

Photo by Dr. Getty

"Winning first place at Nationals last year."

-Jenn Dunlap

"My first football game as a freshman last year. It was special and cool."

-Amanda Hardin

"Probably playing Ultimate Frisbee."

-Brandon Harlacher

Row 1: Christine Rankin, Jenn Palmer, Leah Gregory, Maria Villafane, Sami Guerriero, Ben Garrett, Emily Williams, Amanda Garrett, Madison Wagner, Marissa Albano, Cassie Falk. Row 2: Amanda Hardin, Denise Tan, Chris Lontz, Mikhala Stevens, Nicole Heigl, Miles Anderson, Noah Fulkroad, Liz Grabusnik, Kyle Ross, Emily Savidge. Row 3: Aunna Rhoads, Kelsey Brenneman, Dawn-Michelle Lewis, Allison Munn, Emily White, Min Kang, Katy Downs, Tabitha Yovicich, URee Chon, Jenn Dunlap, Dan Delaney, Drew Martinelli, Michelle Dailey, Emily Munn. Row 4: Josh Hammaker, Ian Chambers, Evan Glass, Katie Shatto, Tyler Fuller, Kristen Riley, Ciara Puckett, Brandon Harlacher, Emma Raver, Laura Homich, Nicole Abate-Reilly, Janelle Hammond, Evan Savage, Jim Farley. Row 5: Carlton Rochelle, Steve Nowaczyk, Drew Martin, Colin Tomes, Jon Riley, Tyler Alford, Jacob Eleuteri, Tyler Musser, Kathleen Taylor, Mike Mull, Shayne Whar-ton, Alex Baldwin, Bleys Prescott, Tom Lamm, Josh Moyer

&Q AWhat is your most

memorable moment?

Photo by Fine Art Photo

Photo by Dr. Getty

At National Championships in Annapolis, Maryland, the Cedar Cliff Marching Band throws down their final performance of Snow Day. The band left the stadium that day with a score of 96.850, second place overall, first place in general effect and music, and second place in percussion.

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