Spanish Adventure The Theme For Fremd Marching Band

This fall, the Fremd High School Viking Marching Band will take the audience to Spain for its 10-minute competitive march band show, a press release from Township High School District 211 states.

The band’s fall production, “Espana,” features the culture and music of Spain. The show portrays a bullfight, celebration, dancing, and famed city of Granada.

During the fall season, the 140-member marching band plans to travel to perform at local band competitions, including Stagg, Wheaton North, Wheeling, and Marengo High Schools, the press release states. The band will conclude its fall tour with a performance at the Univesity of Illinois “Illini Marching Band Championship” on Oct. 22.

The Fremd High School Band program consists of 260 students in four curricular symphonic bands. The Viking Marching Band is a voluntary, extra-curricular ensemble made up of students from all four curricular symphonic bands, rehearsing outside of the school day.

For the 2011 season, participation in the band has increased by 20 students.

“It’s great to see the increased level of participation from students this year,” senior section leader and tenor saxophonist Matt Grapsas stated in the press release. “The ‘Espana’ show is different because it gives the band the opportunity to play music from a different culture.”

The “Espana” show originally was written in 2010 by marching band composer Rob Stein, and was entitled “The Matador.” Later, it was re-arranged for school marching bands.

“Students are doing an outstanding job portraying the excitement and flair of the music and Spanish culture,” states Band Director Matthew Moore. “The visual elements from our color guard costumes, flags, and Spanish dancers, add a lot to the show.”

“It’s great to see how the band has the ability to develop a sound specific to the show, and then bring it to life for the audience,” stated senior section leader and trombonist Kurt Benjamin.

Senior drum line captain Mitch Dinterman stated, “The style and atmosphere of the marching band is unlike any of our other symphonic bands. Combining the visual aspects with the musicality and marching creates an awesome experience for students.”