High school bands to battle at Silverado

By Jeff Pope

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 | midnight

Seventeen high school marching bands will face off in the Showdown at Silverado on Oct. 11.

Silverado High School hosts the third annual battle of the marching bands, which hail from California, Arizona and the Las Vegas area.

Judges will evaluate the bands' musical and visual performances to decide the winners of three categories based on band size.

As host, the Silverado marching band can not compete but performs for practice and will be judged, band director Jeff Lance said.

Silverado does benefit from audience turnout. Proceeds from ticket and concession sales help supply the band with uniforms, new instruments and repair of old ones and to cover travel costs when the band plays similar competitions elsewhere.

"We get to perform before a large crowd. It's our first event of the year, so we take that and look to improve based on the judges' comments," Lance said.

The competition runs from 1:30 to 8 p.m. with bands starting about every 15 minutes.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-13 and seniors over 62, and children 4 and younger are free.

Call the school band office at 799-5790 ext. 4040 for additional information.

Jeff Pope can be reached at 990-2688 or jeff.pope@hbcpub.com.