Despite a drop in temperatures in Carson Valley, the Douglas High School band remains piping hot going into the Nevada Day Parade and Field Show competition in Carson City on Saturday.
In the last month alone, The Pride of Carson Valley has racked up an astounding 28 first-place wins at three different competitions.
"It's great, marvelous, the kids are wonderful," DHS Music Director Bill Zabelsky said Tuesday. "For 50 percent of the band, it's their first time marching this year. It's really a lucky group. I've been pleasantly surprised. They're doing an outstanding job."
Success hasn't come without some changes, though, most noticeably in a new, sporty breed of uniforms.
"We've had a couple of comments from band directors who like them and some comments from judges," Zabelsky said. "The kids enjoy them, too, and I think they've been a hit."
The team has also made some adjustments mid-season, like switching places of percussionists for the field shows.
"Years past, I was not able to do that," Zabelsky said. "The kids are so adept that it's not a problem. It's a great group of kids to work with."
It was 2008 when the Tigers last took the coveted Governor's Cup at the Nevada Day competition. This weekend, Zabelsky hopes to relive the triumph.
"I feel good about this year's chances, but we'll see what happens. One never knows how the judges will be," he said. "I'm always optimistic, and I'd like to believe that we'll take the sweepstakes in parade and field."
Whatever the results this weekend, band members still have other competitions to prepare for. The University of Nevada, Reno, Sierra Band Crusade is Nov. 6, and the annual Tournament of Champions in Fairfield, Calif., is Nov. 20.
Band awards
McQueen Extravaganza, Reno, Oct. 2 , AAA Division, 11 bands total, eight from Nevada
1st Place, NV Band - Music - Division
1st Place, NV Band - Music - Overall
2nd Place, Music - Division
2nd Place, Music - Overall
1st Place, Woodwinds - Division
2nd Place, Woodwinds - Overall
1st Place, NV Band - General Effects - Division
1st Place, NV Band - General Effects - Overall
4th Place, Band - Division
Galena Performance of Champions, Reno, Oct. 9, 11 bands total, medium division
1st Place - Division
1st Place - Music
1st Place - Visual
1st Place - Flags
1st Place - ensemble visual
1st Place - effect visual
1st Place - music ensemble
1st Place - music effect
2nd Place - flags overall
2nd Place - ensemble visual overall
2nd Place - effect visual overall
2nd Place - visual overall
2nd Place - music effect overall
3rd Place - music overall
3rd Place - percussion
Damonte Ranch Invitational, Reno, Oct. 23, 12 bands total, medium division
1st Place - Division
1st Place - Music
1st Place - Visual
1st Place - Flags
1st Place - repertoire / visual effects
1st Place - performers / visual
1st Place - performers / visual (overall)
1st Place - repertoire / musical effect
1st Place - performers / musical effect
2nd Place - ensemble / visual composition
1st Place - ensemble / visual achievement
1st Place - total effect visual
1st Place - total ensemble visual
1st Place - ensemble music / musicians
2nd Place - ensemble music / musicians (overall)
1st Place - ensemble music / technique
3rd Place - ensemble music / technique (overall)
3rd Place - Music (overall)
2nd Place - Color guard / content
1st Place - Color guard / achievement
