Only the drums get beaten

Annual battle of the bands is spirited but not competitive

When Prince George's County public schools had their annual Marching Band Showcase last week, there were no winners or losers. And the participants wouldn't have had it any other way.

"It's just fun and not competitive," said Melajero Williams, 16, a senior at Largo High School. "So it won't be like anybody's feelings will get hurt."

Eleven county schools participated in the Oct. 14 showcase at High Point High School in Beltsville. The event gives band members a chance to entertain and interact with other bands they might not normally see during the year, said Kathy Rodeffer, the county's instructional music supervisor.

"It's an opportunity for bands to just perform for everyone in the community," she said.

The bands came from Bladensburg, Charles Herbert Flowers, Crossland, DuVal, Gwynn Park, High Point, Largo, Laurel, Northwestern, Oxon Hill and Surrattsville high schools.

They each practiced for months to play for about 10 minutes.

"They've been practicing since July," said Stella Cheeks of Camp Springs, the mother of Rodney Cheeks, a 15-year-old percussionist in DuVal's marching band. "And they've been just so excited the last week or so."

The bands were supposed to perform on High Point's football field, but rain pushed the show into the auditorium. The confines forced the bands to alter their routines and eliminate some marching, but most said it didn't affect their performances or spirit.

"It doesn't matter," Melajero said. "Even when it's indoors, you still get the same amount of effort and energy."

The bands performed to hits from artists ranging from Earth, Wind and Fire to Beyonce, with the music of Michael Jackson being especially popular. They were cheered on by a capacity crowd that included hundreds of students, parents and staff members.

"It was great," said Nikki Locke, 18, a senior bass drummer in Laurel's band. "It was our best performance so far this year."

Although the event included no official judging, the showcase was adjudicated by two experts: Kelvin Williams, a band director at Howard University in the District, and Lee Stevens, a retired band director for Howard County public schools. Each offered constructive criticism for the bands to see later.

Some of the night's loudest applause came from the band members, who clapped and sang along to each other's music throughout the event. Kendra Vincent, a senior baton twirler at High Point, said she appreciated the mutual admiration.

"We've been practicing every day since school started," said Vincent, 16, of Hyattsville. "When you hear people screaming for you, you know that they like what you're doing."