Band to present show Friday

Posted on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter

The Spirit of Madison Band will present the music from its marching band program on Friday.

The 7 p.m. concert is free to the public and will take place at the Madison Middle School gym. Prior to the concert is a chicken dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the high school lunchroom; the meal cost is $6 per person.

Tickets for the dinner are available from band members prior to the concert and at the door on Friday evening.

This year's marching band performance featured music from "The Simpsons." Director Luke Sursely said that Friday's performance will also introduce three new songs performed by the pep band, along with group performances from each section of the band.

"Every other concert after this I program 100 percent. This is my chance to give them a little free rein," Sursely said, indicating that Friday's concert is truly a celebration of what the students have accomplished during the marching band season.

The music and performances are approved by Sursely in advance of Friday's show.

This year's band includes 67 high school members and three middle school members in the front ensemble.

"I'm happy with where the numbers are at," Sursely said.

Twenty senior members graduated this past spring.

"That's tough," he said, indicating that he's also optimistic about future growth in the program with 30 new members this year.

Friday's concert is the final performance for the marching band, which had 11 performances this fall including eight in competition.

"I felt by our last weekend they finally learned how to perform," Sursely said.

He said his goal was to teach the band members that mistakes are going to happen, and that's OK. What's important is how the player recovers from that mistake.

"Homecoming was one of our best performances," he said.

At the Quad State Festival, Madison placed third in Class 2A and received the award for best drum major.

Friday's event will also include a few individual awards. Sursely will announce the John Phillip Sousa award, which typically goes to an outstanding senior. Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior of the year awards will be given, based on nominations from band members.

©Madison Daily Leader 2010