Kansas University plays host to the 18th annual heart of America Marching Festival at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Lawrence High School, playing above, was one of several marching bands competing from Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas.
Free State High School’s marching band takes to the field in its performance Saturday. The Firebirds placed fourth in the competition.
Festival top 10
Buhler High School
Lawrence High School
Goddard High School
Free State High School
Washington High School
Papillion-La Vista South High School (Neb.)
Shawnee Mission South High School
Maize High School
Olathe East High School
Derby High School
Rich Galbraith wears A button with the picture of Lawrence High School band member Andrew Galbraith, his son, as he claps for him and the rest of the LHS marching band.
Four Harley riders were slightly confused Saturday afternoon as they pulled up to Memorial Stadium. They heard music, saw people, but something was missing.
“Hey, where’s the tailgate parties?” said one of the riders. “I thought there was a game going on.”
There wasn’t a game, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a heated competition inside the stadium, as 20 marching bands from high schools across the region fought for first place in the 18th annual Heart of America Marching Festival.
And that meant the Free State High School Firebirds and the Lawrence High School Lions took to the field to show who the best marching band in this city is.
Last year, Free State placed second in the competition, just ahead of the Lions. The Lions, however, will be sure to remind you that the two actually tied, but Free State won on a tie-breaker measure.
How heated is this cross-town rivalry?
“It’s pretty competitive, but they’re in Lawrence and we love them,” LHS junior Meredith Burke said of Free State’s band.
OK, so it’s not exactly a heated feud, and the two schools’ band directors set the tone for the event.
“This is one of the most friendly rivalries,” said LHS band director Mike Jones.
Free State Junior Amy Stuhl embraced that sentiment.
“If Free State doesn’t win, we want LHS to win,” she said.
Fellow Firebird Ian Patterson, a sophomore, said his band would be in the stands to support the Lions if they made it to the finals.
“Yeah, we’ll be rooting for them,” he said.
Free State band director, Randy Fillmore, said he doesn’t measure the success of the competition on who wins. “It’s more about improving as a band,” he said.
The Lions will have bragging rights for the next year after finishing second to the Firebirds’ fourth place.
But some of the student musicians were able to keep the focus on aspects other than winning.
Meghan McBride, LHS senior, said of why she likes marching band, “It’s nice to be part of something bigger.”
For fellow LHS band member Burke, it simply comes down to being out on the field playing music.
“I love the feeling,” Burke said.
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JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Great finding out about this on the front page after the fact but at least we know what the start time for the ku game is next weekend. So much for Lawrence's concern for the kids in all their activities, as usual if it doesn't revolve around sports it is only an afterthought.
Alabamastreet (anonymous) says…
Actually, Jack, the LJW promoted this event at least twice in stories this week, including the specific times the two home bands were marching. There also was a feature story earlier about the LHS band winning the Blue Spring competition.
I agree that as a society it is too bad the arts don't get as much of our attention as sports. Anyone who has been involved in high school marching and the summer corps marching knows that band competitions have as much drama and excitement as a sporting event, in some ways more.
But don't blame the LJW for that issue. Given society's focus, the fact there were two reminders in the paper this week was enough to tell anyone who was interested when they could check it out.
And oh yeah, go Lions!!!! I'm proud of you guys, what a year for LHS band.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
On the front of the online front page where there are multiple stories on the same ku game and high school football? Perhaps I missed it but don't remember seeing it in the headlines.
mrf (anonymous) says…
Great intro. What those bikers failed to realize is that the festival is way more entertaining than football. There, I said it.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
AlabamaStreet is right, Jack. I'm a LHS band mom emeritus (emerita?), so I am pretty sensitive to band event coverage or lack thereof but this year, the LJW has been doing a great job of keeping band events in the forefront.
I'm sure they will appreciate your gracious apologies for snapping at them when they didn't deserve it.
Great job, LHS and Free State! Who's going to Neewollah this year? I know LHS probably will--not sure about Free State. That's a wonderful event and well worth the scenic drive to Independence KS. Take time to enjoy the town and do a little shopping if you go. They have a craft fair & parade & everything--just google Neewollah and Independence to learn more.
Jack, you should take your SO (if you have one) and maybe a couple of friends and make it a fun day trip. That will make up for missing the KU event.
labyrinth (anonymous) says…
Gives them a chance to toot their own horns in a healthy way.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
I don't remember seeing a darn thing on the front page of the online JW yesterday about the band event. I definitely apologize if it was but what I saw revolved around football only.
I take it I should drive to any event so if I'm ran down in the street I won't have to be worried about infringing on the poor driver's rights.
lucky7brand (anonymous) says…
I know most of the comments have been about lack of advertisement of the festival compared to ku football, basketball, etc. I agree.
Now I want to say YAY LHS (son that plays for the lions marching band) for performing so well to achieve 2nd place this year. moving up from 3rd last year. Also YAY for FreeState for making the 4th spot. I dont know how many schools were competing LJW listed 10 i'm not sure if that was the top ten or ten in total. Anyway great job Lawrence! It is a talent to play an instrument and march in sequence with the band as a group. memorizing the steps and the music. More talent than bball or ftball in my opinion.
inklines (anonymous) says…
There were 21 bands from Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska competing in the preliminary round. Ten of those bands, including Free State and Lawrence High, went on to compete in the finals. The article didn't mention that caption awards were given for specific marching categories with Free State earning Outstanding Music Execution and LHS earning Outstanding Drum Majors.
SWGlassPit (Tristan Moody) says…
What the article didn't say is that Free State finished first in preliminary competition. Both schools in town put out excellent shows this year, and congratulations are in order for a great season for both LHS and LFS. Well done guys!
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
inklines it was a big sporting day, imagine there wasn't enough time to cover the band stuff. But remember, Lawrence supports its kids... as long as they are playing sports.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
jack, people have told you that the ljworld promoted the event, including the times they were performing. Why can't you get that through your head?
Lawrence supports all of its kids, sports, arts, and everything else.
inklines (anonymous) says…
Jack, Lawrence is no different than a lot of other towns. How many trumpet or flute players have signed multi-million dollar contracts to play their instruments. However, the LJW gave good coverage to the festival both before and after the event. They even took the time to send a photographer to take pictures of our students and then publish them in the paper. If news coverage is someones' idea of community support then they must be way on the outside looking in. As a high school marching band parent in my 8th consecutive year, I know about the hard work that these students put into what they do. They do not do it alone. This town has a unique, wonderful cross-section of people from music educators, tutors, parents and volunteers that put in unselfish service to make Lawrence student music programs highly regarded not just in Kansas, but nationally as well. You have a choice. You can sit back, whine and complain, or get involved. At the very least cheer and applaud.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
no, we are not missing the point. We feel you are making much ado about nothing.
dontcallmedan (anonymous) says…
Mom's right. You naysayers take your drum and beat it.
inklines (anonymous) says…
Seamus, I was not suggesting OR requesting anything about equality. Boo-hoo, sports gets more coverage than the arts. So what! Both sports and the arts are about opportunity, education, involvement and acheivement. If our young people were to participate in sports or arts to get their name in the paper 90 percent of the participants would be disappointed. You spend time on this comment section standing on your giant soapbox railing about equal support for the arts when you should be congratulating and applauding our young people. That is support.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
seamus and jack sound like the jealous siblings when someone doesn't get enough attention.
bmaestas (Brad Maestas) says…
My little sister plays in the LHS band and my friend is the assistant band director and it was great to see them do so well this year although I would've loved to see them win the competition. I would also liked to have seen the complete results and not just the top ten as I am a Lansing High School (as well as a KU) marching band alumni. I realize posting comprehensive results would take a bit more effort but as a former band geek, it's nice to know.
My rivalry is still intact as I had a chuckle when I saw Derby in 10th place. Like many of the KCK schools, they had a lot of money to put into equipment and staff and would constantly brag about how much better they were than everyone else. Good to see them put in their place!
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Seamus~ I was responding to his first post.
("Great finding out about this on the front page after the fact but at least we know what the start time for the ku game is next weekend. So much for Lawrence's concern for the kids in all their activities, as usual if it doesn't revolve around sports it is only an afterthought.")
I realize that he did some backpedaling & qualifying later after people pointed out that this WAS promoted before the event, but it was his first comment that irritated several of us, since it simply wasn't true.
As for sports receiving more promotion than music and other endeavors, I b**** about that all the time. It's true. But it is not the fault of this paper and this paper can't do a lot to change that. It's our society.
Priorities in this country are bass-ackwards and you can blame all the boneheads who would rather fork over huge amts of $$ to watch the Chiefs lose in new and creative ways (for instance) than buy tickets to the KC Symphony, jazz fests, any of the excellent theatres in the area, or any other cultural events you can think of.
I'm all for the LJW (not to mention the KC Star) placing more emphasis on music, visual arts, debate, and diverse pursuits--but I understand the reality they are facing, as they know their demographics.
For what it's worth, I think the LJW really tries to respond to reader input. A few years ago, I contacted them about an upcoming band competition and they not only covered it, but also interviewed several parents and thanked me for making them aware. It may have helped that I was friendly and respectful about it instead of attacking and accusatory, as Jack was in his first post here.
inklines (anonymous) says…
Seamus, I was thinking of a reply but you know, this article isn't about me, my pride, my ego, my reputation, or my intellect. It's about our kids, it is about their acheivements, it is about their hard work and the love and passion for what they do. For me to reply to your comment in like kind would make me just as guilty of hijacking the spirit of this article as you and Jackripper. So, to the LHS and LFSHS bands I say, you rock! Congratulations!
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Ok, you people are right, the marching band contest was amply reported on and even though I still stand behind not seeing it listed there on the front page with all the other sports news that makes it to the front page of the online version, the band kids got more than enough backing by the community. Wow, sports people not only want all the attention but demand that not much is made of anything else.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Jack, you are so full of it.
Band parents above feel it was covered. It was covered. Nice article in the paper. You are the one, the only one, still speaking about sports people demanding all of the attention.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
mom it would have been nice to have been made aware of it before it happened on the front page instead of after. I know you have to protect the sports world so you are so involved in it but really, is it really out of this world to have something saying on the front page that the band event was going on ahead of time? If it was indeed out there I apologize that I missed it but I read it pretty closely and don't remember seeing anything.
How are you loving that massive structure for the real events kids should be involved with, naturally team sports? Doesn't sound like it gave those mighty warriors the kick in the pants you all were hoping for but at least the fields are "safe". Did you have plenty of parking so you could drive to watch an event?
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
OH, jack, you know nothing about me. It's laughable.
The paper did make you aware of the marching contest ahead of time. Lots of us read about it. YOU were just not personally notified. You didn't find it, so it must not be true. It was published on October 6, 7th and 12th. The contest was on the calendar of events. And I think that the article about the LHS band getting first was also highlighted on ljworld.com as the feature article for a time on that day. HOw do I know, because that's how I was alerted of the article.
That massive structure is also used by the band to practice and they love it. SO much better than the practice field without markings that they used to use, lighted by cars' headlights for Tuesday night practices. You keep spewing about me and sports, and yes, I have a kid that does sports. And guess what - I have some in the band, too.
dmpousson (anonymous) says…
Some spoil all the fun in "comments" ! I would like to say congrats to Buhler High (my alma mater) for a terrific job. Once a band member myself years ago, I am happy to see former classmates as directors and staff leading the rich tradition. I would also like to tell the head football coach (who is new since I graduated some 13 years ago) thank you for putting arts as well as academia first. The coach is leading his players in the right direction by letting the band members who are also players perform in the half time shows of the games. ( By the way his team is number two in the state in 4a.). Buhler is only 4a with approximately 850 students the band is near 200 strong every year. Of course thats large in part due to parents and teachers that support athletics, arts, academics, and have a wonderful devotion to the community. Not a narrow minded, pessimistic vision that is clearly seen in the comment board. Who would have thought that a little community in central Kansas was possibly more progressive than Lawrence.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
not sure what pessimism you are talking about, as jack is just complaining about the supposed lack of art coveragein the paper. There are band members, who are active in sports and other pursuits, and I am sure their parents and school are behind them, too. Since our community is, what, 8 times the size and then some of Buhler, our community support is going to be different and varied. I went to a 3a/4A school and a 5A school, much smaller towns than Lawrence, and people supported the band and the football team cause there wasn't much else to do in a small town
dmpousson (anonymous) says…
seamus while you may be correct in most of your statement that lack of competence is a Hutchinson astigmatism. By the way you almost sounded bitter about all those tax dollars Hutchinson misses out on.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
No really mom of three, Lawrence, even when many other outlets for kids, the only thing that matters is sports, people are obsessed with it, more so than in a small town with nothing else to do because they all are hoping their kids will get a sports scholarship.
Mom you seem to make my point, the news about it before it happened was not out there where the news is about the football games, it was somewhere on the calendar page. Is it really that complicated to understand what I'm saying here?
dmpousson (anonymous) says…
OH the negativity
Hey Jack whats the score ?
Again, congrats to all who participated!
thebcman (anonymous) says…
I'm with Jack. I read the online Journal World everyday. I never saw anything promoting this event. Perhaps if I were to pay for the print edition i would have seen it, but the World Company bleeds my bank account dry just for basic cable, so it'll never happen.
jayhawk166 (anonymous) says…
Thanks LJW for posting this story. Im glad to see the paper covering a story that effects so many high schoolers lives in Lawrence. Keep them comming!
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
Congrats to Buhler! I think I remember them from the parade last year. I hope we get to have a parade next year.
ralphralph (anonymous) says…
Bands Rock! ... er, figuratively, too.
mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…
JackRipper, let me ask you a question. Since you seem to have such a vested interest in this event, how much time did YOU spend contacting local media about the event before it happened?
Over the years, I've promoted various types of events, and spent countless hours with local and regional media, trying to generate hype. To be honest, it wasn't until the digital age when the LJW would even give a rats ass about marching band competition. Now, they get the front page??? Color me impressed. That definitely would not have happened 25 years ago.
I've already spent five minutes of my life responding to a worthless negator named JackRipper. Please go away, and take your vapid, empty, worthless thought with you.
Once again, to repeat my question, JackRipper, how much time did you spend contacting local media in promotion of this event?
jhawkmomof3 (anonymous) says…
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/oct...
hail2oldku (anonymous) says…
Very impressive jm3. You were even able to get comments on that "non-existent" story that nobody ever saw becuase they were too busy bitc#ing about the local PD, or bikes on the streets or the lack of KU's defense (even though they never talk sports).
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Jack, when you learn how to read, it will make your life so much easier.
There was a story on October 6, on October 7, on October 12, AND it was on the calendar, which you should check to find out about those events you are never notified of.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
Oh and Jack, I recognize the fact that you want the LJW to print the band and art stuff every day so you would have a chance to find it and to write it up as much as football. BUT there are football games on a weekly basis, and marching band contests every few weeks. so based on that, more is about football and other sports which are played more often than band contests.
I don't know why they didn't run a story about the contest the morning of or the day before, but it was on the calendar of events, so anyone who was interested in what was going on in Lawrence could find it.
BigAl (anonymous) says…
Jack is a whiner. He whines like a 3rd grade kid. With my apologies to 3rd graders everywhere. He should be ignored. Instead of congratulating the kids, he comes in here acting as if he really cares. He obviously doesn't.
GREAT job Free State and LHS. You make the City of Lawrence proud..!
Tootieonskates35 (anonymous) says…
Congratulations to LHS and LFS!
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Wow, didn't mean to rile up Cootertown, good thing I didn't mention there were more online front page links to nascar events!
Mom, you sound like you understood the basic question, yes my question was, why when there is so much on football up front couldn't there have been something about this event. I didn't say sports should in any way take a backseat to the band event, never, not in Cootertown would I suggest that but by your own reasoning, the band event is yearly, then for someone like myself who has no ties to the high schools and therefore no reason to go looking at the calendar event it would have been nice to have it out front. Just thought if I had known about it and a fan of marching bands it could have brought in one more "customer".
Mike (a legend in his own mind) Blur, you just flat out didn't apparently understand my question. When you promote your events do you expect the people you want to come see a show who don't know about it to some how promote it themselves when they know nothing about it? Is this the reason you are a small town promoter?
BigAl, well you are just a joke, a sports guy who pats the band kids on the head making sure they know there place, entertainment between what really matters.
So for the slow still out there I don't doubt there were stories within the paper about this, just hoping next year maybe they give heads up to the event on the front page of the online where many give a quick look for what to do. I come here suggesting ways of getting more people there to support it, not in any way to distract from the noble game of football rock chalk rock chalk rock chalk!