KEEP CALM and MARCH ON DC Marching Band in DC 2015

Last year, when Katie wanted to try out for Central's color guard, I was very excited. We have some family roots in Central but it was more for her and the enjoyment of something so big. I had no idea just how big, until she made the guard team and we went full force into the 2013 Marching Band season. Wow, the Davenport Central marching Blue Devils are amazing. (I am not just saying that because Katie is part of it.) The kids worked hard at mini band camp in June and then full band camp in August. They worked in their individual sections and had every Saturday full of rehearsals. The marching band season opened and the travel, football games, and competitions began. Every football game they performed at Brady stadium, we were there, in the stands, cheering them on. Maggie, barely 2 at the time, watched them in quiet content as they did their show and then after it was over, she happily clapped and shouted, yay KK, yay Becca. Everyone in the stands was very proud of where the marching band had come from since the early summer months.  

Starting in September, we began the weekend travels. Every weekend was another destination and another competition,claiming another place among the best of them.
The late fall took us to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they competed in the Youth in Music Marching Championships at the Minnesota Vikings football stadium. Thanks to color guard, the marching band made it into the finals. This was a first time that the school has ever done this! Way to go Color guard.
We tried to finish up the season by marching in the Davenport Halloween parade, but it was rained out and then we tried for the Festival of Trees parade and it was too cold. When marching band came to an end, it was a different feeling. There were a lot of mixed emotions, not just for Katie, but for me. We devoted so much time, money and energy into the season that I was glad to get some time back to do other things, but then it was sad, because it is such a great feeling to be part of something so big and fantastic.

 

 

 

The cold football games, traveling time, hotel rooms, restaurant and stadium food, sore bums from the bleachers, and sore throats from the yelling.   
The marching band is full of talent and it has come through over and over again.
2013 Honors:
-2nd place class 2A, Morton Pumpkin Festival in Morton, IL
-2nd place, class 4A, Bands Across the Prairie in Cedar Rapids, IA
-Best Drum Majors, 1st Place class 4A, Four Seasons marching Competition in Cedar Rapids, IA
-Best Drum Majors, Best Winds, Best Percussion, 8th place overall and finalist, Youth in music marching championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota 
-Division 1 rating, Best drum majors, IHSMA State marching band classic in Macomb, IL   
Their talent has taken them far and they have been chosen by our Iowa State representatives to march in the 2015 Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. The parade takes place on July 4, 2015 in Washington D.C. They will march at 11:45 am on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th street.
Every year the parade brings out hundreds of thousands of people. It is a special way to celebrate America's birthday. 
What an honor for Davenport Central High school's 2014 Marching Blue Devils.
The band will be led to our nation's capital by their talented director, Alex Wilga. They will leave on July 1st and return on July 6th. While in Washington, they will also be visiting Arlington National Ceremony, some of the Smithsonian museums, National monuments and the White House. This is a fabulous educational experience 
Fundraising is already underway:

"Its A DOLLAR" yard sale 

Everything will be sold for $1.00 regardless of item! 

Friday August 8th 2014

Brady Stadium

8am to 3pm

Brady Street 

Davenport

 

  and donations can be made to:
  Central High School
  C/O Alex Wilga
  1120 Main Street
  Davenport, IA 52803
www.davenportcentralbands.com