Hillsborough County schools put marching bands to the test
Saturday’s Marching Music Performance Assessment was a contest of skill, control, performance and school pride.
Members of Strawberry Crest High School Marching Charger’s band perform during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, at the Gaither High School in Tampa. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Saturday’s Marching Music Performance Assessment was a contest of skill, control, performance and school pride.
On Saturday night, Hillsborough County high school students battled for bragging rights while showing the mettle behind their schools’ music programs.
At the heart of a band’s success are relentless teamwork and the discipline of coordinated movement synchronized to music selections to create stunning audio-visual performances on a football field.
This year’s event, at Gaither High School in Tampa, hosted 2,741 performers from 27 high schools who performed for parents, faculty and a panel of judges.
Color Guard dancer Kera Daniels of the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band participates in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday, at Gaither High School in Tampa. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Bass guitarist Noah McCormack, with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band, participates in an homage to KISS during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Shruti Shankar, with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band, breaks down her baritone saxophone after performing in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Leto High School color guard dancer Jari Sleidi-Perez warms up before performing in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Ebonie Evans, left, and Jeremy Evans cheer for their son, George S. Middleton High School Tiger Marching Band member Jeremiah Evans, as he participates in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
An image of German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven is displayed during a performance by T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Percussionist Ashlyn Miller performs with T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Drum Major Julia Barrett accepts applause from the crowd after a performance by T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Planning your weekend?
Subscribe to our free Top 5 things to do newsletter
We’ll deliver ideas every Thursday for going out, staying home or spending time outdoors.
Loading...
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Tampa Bay Technical High School Marching Thunder Band color guard members, from left, Pailynne Byrd, Shanaiya Washington, Ta’Shiana Cantave, Calise Felder and Camarria Saunders take the field during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Joe E. Newsome High School color guard performer Isabella Hellman prepares to perform during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Joe E. Newsome High School Wolfpack Marching Band members, from left, Kevin Thompson, Owen Quant and Jimmie Wellborn stand near images of New York City before performing during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Joe E. Newsome High School Wolfpack Marching Band member Thomas Dooda settles into his sousaphone before performing during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Members of the Bloomingdale Senior High School Rajun’ Bull Band perform their Night of Fright routine during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Members of the Bloomingdale Senior High School Rajun’ Bull Band perform their Night of Fright routine during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Dancers with H.B. Plant High School participate in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Baritone horn players Joseph Parmer, left, and Zachary Tomasello, left, with H.B. Plant High School, participate in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Sickles High School color guard member Teresa Suarez performs with the Marching Wall of Sound while participating in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Sickles High School drum major Camila Jones performs with the Marching Wall of Sound while participating in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Parents react to a performance by Sickles High School’s Marching Wall of Sound while attending the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
USF Herd of Thunder’s featured twirlers Kendall Hunt, left, and Breanna Brown participate in an exhibition performance by the band after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Seniors with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band are introduced after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Joe E. Newsome High School senior Jimie Wellborn is awarded a medallion by Dr. Joshua Cutting, the school’s director of bands, after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Sickles High School Marching Wall of Sound band members, from left, Andi Bland, Elsie Henderson, Progga Saha and Sofia Lawrence celebrate a Superior performance rating by the judges after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.
:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/U24VDQXN3REFVA2A7C2CBHTQO4.JPG "Members of Strawberry Crest High School Marching Charger’s band perform during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, at the Gaither High School in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ONV3SGPG3FH6NATNVEJLGU5ZP4.JPG "Color Guard dancer Kera Daniels of the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band participates in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday, at Gaither High School in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VXIJCHIWNJBL7OPA7H7WPP4LRM.JPG "Bass guitarist Noah McCormack, with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band, participates in an homage to KISS during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6XXHMWZTPRD43KW2OQSHZSMBQI.JPG "Shruti Shankar, with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band, breaks down her baritone saxophone after performing in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VP7UN5FP3ZCKXAC7KL4HKYE4GA.JPG "Leto High School color guard dancer Jari Sleidi-Perez warms up before performing in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WWZMTKDGYVDFXGFECYBQZD5WV4.JPG "Ebonie Evans, left, and Jeremy Evans cheer for their son, George S. Middleton High School Tiger Marching Band member Jeremiah Evans, as he participates in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GYIVD7EO4ZFTHFYLEZ2QU6RSKM.JPG "An image of German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven is displayed during a performance by T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WVCVV4QOVBHCVFILZ5DJXBV6JE.JPG "Percussionist Ashlyn Miller performs with T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L5FNDV6FY5EHNGBUGRMM5HQNGA.JPG "Drum Major Julia Barrett accepts applause from the crowd after a performance by T.R. Robinson High School’s Marching Knights during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IUJU6WJ5RVD2VP4J66M5VXX3BA.JPG "Tampa Bay Technical High School Marching Thunder Band color guard members, from left, Pailynne Byrd, Shanaiya Washington, Ta’Shiana Cantave, Calise Felder and Camarria Saunders take the field during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4ZTVIH4F2VANNECX4HG33LFQBQ.JPG "Joe E. Newsome High School color guard performer Isabella Hellman prepares to perform during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WIHURKQ2WNCSVLDLNABHPR7J2Y.JPG "Joe E. Newsome High School Wolfpack Marching Band members, from left, Kevin Thompson, Owen Quant and Jimmie Wellborn stand near images of New York City before performing during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2WYDI6SUQFEDDEFYCWTZ7O2SR4.JPG "Joe E. Newsome High School Wolfpack Marching Band member Thomas Dooda settles into his sousaphone before performing during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ETZXIWQIJJFQJLXDC5CBKSJOAQ.JPG "Members of the Bloomingdale Senior High School Rajun’ Bull Band perform their Night of Fright routine during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LFANO3EISVHZVP35BDLVYMJW5I.JPG "Members of the Bloomingdale Senior High School Rajun’ Bull Band perform their Night of Fright routine during the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QNYS6RSHA5CZBJWDXNPTI3EJ3Q.JPG "Dancers with H.B. Plant High School participate in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7ZVEOIV6JVBGBJTMMCBROYHH4I.JPG "Baritone horn players Joseph Parmer, left, and Zachary Tomasello, left, with H.B. Plant High School, participate in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/77KMSEOGE5CXTCEDHIAWOUCRDM.JPG "Sickles High School color guard member Teresa Suarez performs with the Marching Wall of Sound while participating in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4U77LJUE4ZBGRBXTPT7QHLUFQY.JPG "Sickles High School drum major Camila Jones performs with the Marching Wall of Sound while participating in the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZU6YV66JK5CRDJYVTGFQPBQCJU.JPG "Parents react to a performance by Sickles High School’s Marching Wall of Sound while attending the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/U4C5PQYOHBFMNNIASUT4LYIN5Y.JPG "USF Herd of Thunder’s featured twirlers Kendall Hunt, left, and Breanna Brown participate in an exhibition performance by the band after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FT53RQYHUZFHRMRO3GFMKPLUWM.JPG "Seniors with the Strawberry Crest High School Marching Chargers band are introduced after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CJHJOUPVMNBYJJG7LLUPG7DUCQ.JPG "Joe E. Newsome High School senior Jimie Wellborn is awarded a medallion by Dr. Joshua Cutting, the school’s director of bands, after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/27QUKKYPWRCRTPYRX6B7BFRXYY.JPG "Sickles High School Marching Wall of Sound band members, from left, Andi Bland, Elsie Henderson, Progga Saha and Sofia Lawrence celebrate a Superior performance rating by the judges after the 2023 Florida Bandmasters Association District 7 music performance assessment event on Saturday.")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/c382d27e-ea94-4ada-bbc0-8261e6ef4f46.png "Douglas R. Clifford - Photographer")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e29c6f79-609e-4562-b404-d31d400458d5.png "Aya Diab - Video Producer")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/6_Thxqkq34f0VRKP_Cc1-D6MR4Q=/1200x675/filters:focal(1285x565:1295x555)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XOE6NHXFIJERRNQRYYA3M4XJ6Q.JPG "Tampa, Thanksgiving Day football have a heritage")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/UvcoPoAbcpZuZZiabNL2ycwN2gM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FQG7HETQOFHETLFEZG6CIERJYE.jpg "Biggest, oldest and most: Some surprising record setters in Tampa Bay")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/JldB8evhlYZo5sZa6_oR623LuE8=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EAAT3GVQYZAOFN6UKMGL4OMJP4.JPG "At Northeast High, a record number of girls joined the automotive program")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/zuLXQPGKJrhqYYnLH_6d4Ag3Di4=/1200x675/filters:focal(2275x1575:2285x1565)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WQ5QRL6HLG36J65M4RXXWOOPHY.jpg "How Bucs’ Chris Godwin mentally prepares himself for crucial moments")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/22ZZ13SRQDvmgdSg1zzEBP4lM7w=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EVSROXN7JRG3NINLEQ3MF4EJGM.jpg "3 million Floridians started college but didn’t finish. Some need a push.")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/JB6e7rDPSg3hg80KBhDqNxOrewc=/1200x675/filters:focal(1525x805:1535x795)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YSHOKIB2IVAVRI552TMDWIB5Z4.jpg "Is linebacker Lavonte David’s heir apparent already with Bucs?")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/_llj8fXzPac1Mcc-CdlSQaRubt4=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4NM752UXG5DYPHWHRFEYTKQKLA.JPG "Florida seniors face eviction over mobile home community assessment dispute")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/1Aru47cazzNNmU09HCCs55Uayi8=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PK2KFFRBNVCOJE4IBYPMYMLWCM.JPG "Pinellas County’s animal shelter needs homes for dogs during renovation")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/8YwMDqoRyCcP3HcK-KUwmipGMGc=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WYHD2WIR3ZCZZL35DHFXPXZRHU.jpg "Court weighs if Tampa rapper’s jury should be unanimous on death penalty")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/08bNYoUP2BEi2ypFxHFc4u60Cog=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KLMADW4LAZFZVJUZCF6H7FXT2Y.jpg "How does the Bucs schedule compare to Saints and Falcons in the NFC South?")