20021019 Freestate Spectacular XVI Marching Band Competition

Freestate Spectacular XVI Marching Band Competition

October 19, 2002

Picture caption: Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff in the mid 1960s in a William F. Myers and Sons Band uniform with my trumpet case.

Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff, c. 1968 Marching with the Westminster High School Band

Dear Competitors, Judges, Parents, and Spectators:

On behalf of the City of Westminster, welcome to today’s Freestate Spectacular XVI Marching Band Competition.

Veteran band parents and marching band enthusiasts know full well, while newcomers or “rookies” should be made aware of the fact - that today’s performances are the result of long hours of disciplined preparation during the late summer months.

Band directors, instructors, students, and parents have put in countless hours of practice and preparation to make today’s competition possible. The fine performances you will view on the contest field are just the tip of the iceberg called high school marching band. Thousands of dedicated hours of rehearsal and an inestimable amount of love for the activity have been willingly logged in - well before today’s event.

Competition is a wonderful thing! - It causes each of us to excel beyond our previous achievements. It can become an invidious and negative thing when it causes us to resent the achievements of others; however, you will not find any of that sort of thing here today.

While the competition is intense and only one band receives the 1st Place Trophy per band group classification, everyone participating in today’s Maryland State High School Band Championships is truly a winner. Each band and guard member is a winner because they genuinely strive for excellence while cheerfully recognizing the excellence on the part of other performers. This requires good character, and band and guard members are usually distinguished by great character.

How do I know? I, and members of the Westminster City Staff have participated in the activity as far back as high school, of which one still is active in the Tournament of Bands judging community.

Please enjoy the contest and your time in Westminster!

Best wishes,

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Mayor

KED/str

20021019 Freestate Spectacular XVI Marching Band Competition