MARCHING TO VICTORY: COMPETITION AND PREPARATION INTENSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS

The Cape Central Tigers Marching Band had a roaring season in 1994.

In his 16th year as the band director, Ron Nall said this year has been one of the more successful for the Central Marching Band.

"One thing we've worked hard on this year is discipline," he said. "Discipline on and off the field has been important for us."

The marching band has received three first-place honors, a second-place honor and two third-place awards in the six competitions the school elected to participate in this fall. The marching band season ended Nov. 5 for Cape Central.

"Everywhere we went," Nall said, "we've placed. We have developed a lot of pride here."

Band member's pride developed quickly this season.

At their first outing, the Cape Central received a first-place award at the Washington High School Competition held Oct. 1 in Washington, Mo.

Four of the band's six competitions took place in October.

The band also competed at Francis-Howell High School in St. Charles County. Members carried a third-place award with them when they returned Oct. 8 from that competition.

Cape Central also competed for the first time at the Champion of Champions Marching Band Festival held Oct. 15 on Faurot Field at University of Missouri-Columbia.

"It was quite an experience for everyone," Nall said. "You walk out onto the field and see the seats rise up. It's dramatic."

Faurot field might have been dramatic, but it wasn't too intimidating for the band. They marched their way to a first-place finish. Cape Central competed against 11 schools in their division and 20 schools total. The marching band also received the Chancellor's Trophy for "best band" at the competition.

Busch Stadium saw some action Oct. 22, but it wasn't baseball. The Cape Central Tigers Marching Band took the field along with 48 other bands for the only competitive event to take place at Busch.

The Tigers received a third-place trophy and were back on the bus for the return trip to Cape Girardeau.

The band (and the band boosters) received a weekend off, but traveled 400 miles to Kansas City and CMSU at Warrensburg for an exhibition and competition the weekend of Nov. 4.

The band marched for the Missouri State Teacher's Association Conference in Kansas City Friday morning.

The next day, Nov. 5, the band marched in two competitions on CMSU football field in Warrensburg.

During the preliminary round of the Missouri Band Bowl, Cape Central received a first-place award.

That night, the band competed again and tied with two other schools for second place.

"It rained the entire time we were on the field," Nall said. "I talked to the band director up there and he said the field had $20,000 worth of damages. They had to fix it because there was still another home football game."

Nall said 30 bands marched on CMSU's football field that day. He said many of Cape Central's band members lost their shoes in the mud.

"There wasn't one student moving around on the bus on the way home," he said. "We were all exhausted."

Nall said the band's return trip from Warrensburg was pleasant because the band had chartered a private coach for the trip. He said the charter was made possible because of the band boosters.

"They've been really helpful this year," he said. "We call them 'band boosters,' but there are no dues. Most of them are parents of band kids."

Nall is assisted by two other band instructors at Cape Central, Neil Casey and Mark Ellison.

Casey usually teaches the junior high band classes and Ellison teaches band at Louis J. Schultz school.

"We all work as a team," Nall said. "Our season is over for marching band, now we'll concentrate on concerts."

Cape Central Marching Band's 1994 Contest Results

Oct. 1, Washington High School Competition, Washington, Mo., 1st place

Oct. 8, Francis-Howell High School Competition, St. Charles County, Mo., 3rd place

Oct. 15, Champion of Champions Marching Band Festival, Columbia, Mo., 1st place

Oct. 22, Busch Contest, St. Louis, 3rd place

Nov. 5, Missouri Music Bowl (preliminary), CMSU - Warrensburg, Mo., 1st place

Nov. 5, Missouri Music Bowl, CMSU - Warrensburg, Mo., 2nd place