Final Practice Notes Sound as Band Readies for Sydney

It sounded like a routine Irvine High School marching band practice, but it was the final rehearsal for an Olympic performance that was nearly scrubbed. And the weight of what was to come showed Monday in the worried faces and murmurs of performers.

“That was it, our last practice here,” they seemed to say. “The next time we play, we’ll be in Australia, and then, like, 4 billion people are gonna watch us. I have to PACK!”

All told, more than 400 musicians from three Orange County high schools will be leaving Thursday to join a 2,000-member strong marching band that will play during the Sept. 15 opening ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Besides Irvine High, Kennedy High School in La Palma will be sending about 130 performers and Placentia’s El Dorado High about 170.

For the 102 Irvine High musicians, Monday was the last chance to practice about 20 songs, to finalize their preparations. They talked about passports, wearing comfortable shoes, and, yes, the conductor cautioned: Don’t forget your instruments.

“This is it; you can’t forget things,” warned Bob Avzaradel, director of instrumental music at Irvine High School. “This isn’t like any other trip we’ve taken. There’s no problem-solving on this trip.”

The reaction of the kids was a mix of nervousness, anxious laughter and a whole lot of pride as the Irvine students realized once again that they were among only six Southern California schools and a handful from Atlanta to be invited.

“It really is an honor,” said Jody Harriss, 23, an Irvine High School alumna who still plays trombone with the band. “This is a . . . jewel for me,” she said. “I get to go with my brother too.”

Her brother, Andrew Harriss, 18, ruffled his already mussed hair. “You know, I really can’t find words to express how excited I am,” he said. “But we got the music.”

It was a long road to this point. Last summer, the invitation to play in the ceremonies was revoked when Australians realized that the Olympic band would consist of 500 Australians, 200 Japanese and 1,300 Americans. With folks at home wondering if Aussies were up to snuff, some U.S. bands were scratched from the roster--Orange County’s three schools among them.

But after strident letters from lawyers to Sydney Olympic organizers, and worries over a possible breach-of-contract lawsuit from a company organizing the Olympic band, members of the Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games relented.

Whew.

Irvine High band members say they are relieved to be able to focus on the purity of the event, on making music for most of the planet.

“I was really bummed out when we were disinvited,” said Alexander Saduik, 15. “Now . . . this is just about a great trip and a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

“I’m taking it a little easy this week,” added the alto-saxophone player. “I’m not practicing as much.”

Akito Nozaki, 18, a tuba player who graduated this year, also was a little distracted Monday. Amid the talk about the logistics of the trip, of where people would sleep, of how to keep passports safe from would-be thieves, his attention seemed elsewhere.

As they broke up to head their separate ways, Nozaki timidly told a visitor that he plays tuba. Without prompting, he added: “I’ve just never played in front of that many people before.”