The Douglas High School band has been hitting the high notes this season with more than 10 first-place wins from two events. But that doesn't mean band members are now taking it easy.
"We have some pretty stiff competition," Music Director Bill Zabelsky said on Oct. 22. "Elko is our biggest competitor. We'd like to bring the Governor's Cup back to Douglas County."
Zabelsky was referring to the Nevada Day Parade and Field Show competition in Carson City on Saturday. Last year, the Douglas band, known as the "Pride of the Carson Valley," won the sweepstakes award for marching in the Nevada Day Parade and then took the Governor's Cup for their field show.
Zabelsky is optimistic about their chances this year.
He said 40 percent of the band is made up of "newbies," eighth-graders, freshmen and sophomores.
"I especially want to thank Sarah Holland of CVMS and Tammy Owens of Pau-Wa-Lu; they did a great job with the kids last year," Zabelsky said. "I'm very proud, but hopefully the community is proud, too, and the band is living up to the high standards the community expects."
Band Awards 2009-2010
McQueen "Extravaganza" in Reno, Oct. 3
1st place - band and pageantry - division
1st place - auxiliary - division
1st place - drum major - division
1st place - brass - division
1st place - woodwinds - division
1st place - music - division
1st place - visual - Nevada band - division
1st place - drum major - Nevada band - overall
1st place - brass - Nevada band - overall
1st place - woodwinds - Nevada band - overall
2nd place - Nevada band - overall
2nd place - visual - Nevada band - overall
2nd place - auxiliary - Nevada band - overall
2nd place - drum major - overall
2nd place - woodwinds - overall
Galena "Performance of Champions" in Reno, Oct. 17
2nd place - band and pageantry - division
1st place - music - division
2nd place - music - overall