VALDOSTA — The success of last year’s Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats Southern Open has set the stage for a second marching band event this fall and, organizers hope, has laid the foundation for a new tradition.

“We would like this to be an annual event because we think that it has a tremendous impact on marching band programs in the area,” said Michael Thomas, Valdosta High School band director. “Because we are all different sizes, it makes it hard to hear bands on Friday nights that are right in this area. This event gives surrounding band members an opportunity to hear their neighboring communities. It gives directors an opportunity to get constructive comments about their programs in a non-competitive setting and it gives local supporters of marching bands an opportunity to support their band programs.”

Next week, nearly a dozen marching bands take the field for an evening of performances. Joining the VHS Marchin’ Cats at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium will be Lowndes High School Georgia Bridgemen, Lanier High School Marching Band, Irwin County Big Red Marching Band, Bacon County Raider Regiment, Clinch County High School Band, Cook High School Marching Hornets, Tift County Blue Devil Brigade, Thomasville High School Marching Bulldogs, Ware County Golden Gator Marching Band. Valdosta State University Blazin’ Brigade is also scheduled to present an exhibition performance.

The format is similar to band competitions, but the purpose is to let bands prepare for the competitions in October, improve their half-time shows and simply strut their stuff.

“The purpose of this event is to provide area marching bands with an opportunity to receive constructive comments for their marching band programs in a non-competitive setting,” Thomas said. “These comments can be used as a teaching tool to prepare for rehearsals, Friday night football games and marching band festivals or competitions.”

Thomas said some of the smaller bands will not travel to October competitions, so the Southern Open allows these groups an opportunity to experience a band-festival setting. Meanwhile, all bands receive commentary and suggestions from professionals which can be used to improve half-time shows or as a primer for upcoming competitions.

The evaluation panel consists of Frank Butenschon, retired Valdosta City Schools band director, evaluating each band’s overall effect; Debbie Bradley, Lowndes County Schools, music; Johnny Folsom, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College band director, marching and maneuvering; Andy Bell, Crisp County High School, percussion; Mike Chapman, Valdosta City Schools retired, auxiliary.

In decades past, Valdosta High hosted a Southern Open band festival. Last year, Thomas and Butenschon revived the VHS Marchin’ Cat Southern Open.

In addition to being a performance venue, the event serves as a fundraiser for all participants.

“A few weeks before the event, I emailed ticket templates to each participating director,” Thomas said. “After they received the template, they could place it on standard-size business cards and sell each card for $5 each. One hundred percent of the profits generated from those ticket sales go straight to their band programs.”

Thomas is impressed with this year’s participation. Given the combination seasons of half-time shows and competitions, this time of year is always busy for bands. Add the heavy rains and practice time has been a precious commodity this year.

“It is hard to get your full show on the field because of constant rain and inclement weather,” Thomas said. “For us, as well as many of the other participating bands, we are just getting our full show on the field. Many people don’t understand that moisture and rain can damage lots of instruments and some schools can spend thousands of dollars in repairs if they allow their students to take their instruments, particularly woodwind instruments, outside in the rain. So when it rains, everything that we do in terms of marching band is less productive and slows the pacing of the ensemble down dramatically.”

Thomas says the Southern Open would not be possible if not for the Marchin’ Cats’ many sponsors and band parents.

“They not only take that time out to support their children but all of the children in the band program and,” Thomas said, “through this event, the surrounding band programs.”

 

Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats Second Annual Southern Open is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Tickets: $5, advance; $8, at the gate.