SCSBOA Championships Recap

Members of South Hills' band posing with their gold medals and the 1st place championship plaque.

 
On Dec. 3 South Hills High School's marching band and colorguard performed in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) field marching championship tournament held at Warren High School in Downey, CA. Every year the top groups in each division compete for top honors at the end of the season. South Hills was one of the top 12 groups in the class 4A division to make it to the final tournament based on the average of their top three scores from their 2011 season's tournament field competitions.


Prior to the show each group is selected from a random drawing to determine the line-up at the tournament. South Hills was luckily selected to perform last in their division. Performing last is a good thing because sometimes judges have a tendency to save higher scores for later groups as a way of preventing themselves from giving out a high score too early.

After each school's group performs, the scores are announced shortly following the last group's performance. The scores are announced in reverse order, meaning that 12th place (last) is announced first and then 11th, and so on. South Hills has consistently placed in the top five for the past nine years, so many people expected them to finish well again this year.

As the night went on, South Hills' name was yet to be announced. Third place passed. Second place passed. That meant...

"And now, with a score of 91.05, first place goes to... South Hills High School Marching Band and Colorguard!"

It was a very exciting moment for many of South Hills' band members and colorguard members, as well as for many their supporters, as many of them erupted in cheers as their name was announced. This moment was a long time coming for them. William S. Hart High School won first place every year for the past nine years prior to the 2011 season.

"Finally," said South Hills High School's music director Mike Wooten. "It only took us, what, nine years?"

It appeared that Hart High School did not cheer for themselves when they won second place, almost as though they were bitter about not placing first.

"They did, they did," Wooten said."That's one thing that I do have a lot of respect for. They're a classy bunch of guys and kids over there. Their staff is real strict with them. They were always real humble when they won and didn't rub it in anyone's face."

South Hills also took home the awards for High Percussion, High Auxiliary, High Visual, and High Music. William S. Hart High School took home 2nd place silver medals and the High General Effect award. Warren High School rounded out the top three, taking home 3rd place bronze medals.