Tiger band wins 400th award

The Fighting Tiger marching band racked up their 400th award, 300 of them being first place winners, in competitions in Reno over the last two weekends.

Award No. 400 went to drum major Andy Martin, who won a trophy as the best drum major in his division at the McQueen Extravaganza marching competition in Reno on Oct. 7.

Martin took another first place as best Nevada drum major overall and the band received a superior rating in music and several first place awards in band, flags and brass.

Music director Bill Zabelsky has been keeping track of the number of awards won by the Douglas High School bands since he started with the music department more than 25 years ago.

"This is an outstanding group of kids," Zabelsky said. "They're very dedicated and hard-working. They've been polishing the show since September.

"We're still working on our performances and as we get comments from judges, we change things. But so far so good - the comments are about minor things so they're minor adjustments."

The band's 300th first place award was won at the Galena Performance of Champions in Reno on Oct. 14 when they were named the best band in their division. They also took home a sweepstakes award, a superior rating, 11 other awards in the marching band competition.

Douglas' major competition at the McQueen Extravaganza were Carson City, Reno, Galena, Hug and Sparks high school bands.

The band's half-time performance includes music from the Doors, "Light My Fire," "Touch Me" and "Peace Frog/Love Her Madly."

"We got a standing ovation at the Galena competition from parents other than our own," Zabelsky said.

The Fighting Tiger marching band has been performing at the football team's "home" games and Zabelsky hopes the new football field will be completed in time for a homecoming game and half-time performance on home turf.

"Next is the Nevada Day parade which is always a biggie for us and a week later we're going to UNR for the Sierra Cascade marching band field competition," Zabelsky said. "We think we're going to do well at that."

It's the first time since 2001 that the band has gone to the Sierra Cascade competition because it was held the same weekend as the Nevada Day parade.

The end of marching band season wraps up with the street and field competition in Fairfield, Calif., on Nov. 18.

"There's 11 judges and no horses," Zabelsky said.

The concert band performs a Christmas concert Dec. 14.

breakout:

McQueen Extravaganza, Reno, Oct. 7

1st Place Drum Major - Division (Award # 400) trophy

2nd Place Band - Division trophy

1st Place Nevada Band - Division AA

1st Place Nevada Flags - Division AA

1st Place Nevada Drum Major - OVERALL

1st Place Nevada Brass - Division AA

Superior Rating Music

2nd Place Brass - Division AA

2nd Place Flags - Division AA

Galena Performance of Champions, Reno, Oct. 14

1st Place Band - Division AA (300th 1st Place Award) trophy

1st Place Woodwinds - Division AA trophy

1st Place Brass - Division AA trophy

1st Place Visual Performance - Division AA

1st Place Visual Performance - Overall

1st Place Music - Division AA

Superior Rating Music

Sweepstakes Visual Overall

2nd Place Drum Major - Division AA

2nd Place Drum Major - Overall

2nd Place Flags - Division AA

2nd Place Music - Overall

2nd Place Band - Overall

3rd Place Percussion - Division AA