Yuma high school bands to perform at Cibola

For the first time in a decade, Yuma high school bands will march together as each performs their competition show on the same grounds.

The Yuma Marching Band Exhibition kicks off at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Saturday, according to Dean Moore, Cibola High School band director and organizer of this event. Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased at the gate. For further information, people are welcome to call 502-5979.

 All Yuma County high school marching bands will be participating except San Luis. Moore said he is excited about the program because it will be the first time each band truly has the chance to enjoy the other band's performances.

"We usually cross one another's path but don't actually get to see each other. This way, we'll be gathered in the place where all the high school bands get to see each other at the same moment this one time during the year."

The Cibola marching band has 97 musicians. They will be playing a variety of pieces, Moore said.

The theme for Cibola's program will be "somniphobia" or the fear of sleep, Moore said. They will also play music from the Broadway show, "Jekyll and Hyde," which won the 1997 Theater World and Drama Desk awards, with music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse. Also, they will perform music from the 1999 musical "Sleepy Hollow," with music and lyrics by James Crowly.

"We have to attract the football crowd but we also need to serve the educational needs of the students, so all band directors try to find a balance (of repertoire)," Moore said.

Moore also noted several soloists will be showcased throughout the program. The school music ensembles make a huge contribution to Yuma culture, he stressed.

"So, anyone who comes out to support Band Day we greatly appreciate. And it is also a great family-friendly environment."

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.