Marching Madness

Some people think autumn was made for football fields and marching bands. For those who enjoy the halftime entertainment as much as the change in weather, Saturday may be the highlight of the season.

More than 40 high school and college marching bands from Ventura to Riverside and San Diego to Visalia will perform at the 17th annual Granada Hills Highlanders Field Band Competition.

“We are probably the largest field tournament in Southern California this year,” said Al Nelson, band director at Granada Hills High School.

Last year, more than 3,000 kids from public and private schools entered the competition and 5,000 people attended the tournament, Nelson said.

This year, he expects the number of performers to jump to 4,000. The event is unique because it will include a mass drum line composed of 100-plus drummers from Central and Southern California, Nelson said.

Weeks before the event, drummers were sent a cadence that they will perform during the awards ceremonies at 1:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. In addition to musicians, the competition will feature drill teams and pageantry.

Throughout the event, a craft fair, souvenirs and food will be available. Nelson said the tournament is a great opportunity to combine entertainment and education and let people see what kids are doing in school.

Kids who become involved with school bands often “end up making new friends and overcoming rivalries,” Nelson said.

They also learn self-discipline.

Band mom Jill Nelson (no relation to Al), said her son Erik plays clarinet for the Granada Hills Highlanders and attends band practice every weekday at 6:30 a.m. The group has another practice session later each day, a rehearsal one evening every week and a weekly after-school session for each section of the band.

The Highlanders tournament began in 1982 with 12 competing bands, said Leon Cuthbert, tournament announcer and former band parent president. He and then-acting band director, Dan Taguchi, started the competition as a way to raise money and support.

“I’ve always enjoyed the band and the students,” Cuthbert said.

After three of his children went through the band program, he continued to act as master of ceremonies for the event because it’s a way to “stay connected to the school.”

BE THERE

Granada Hills Highlanders Field Band Competition, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for students with identification. Adults can receive a $2 discount by bringing band paraphernalia that identifies them as a former band member or marching musician.