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Webster High School Marching Band Performance Detail
January 1, 1999

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
1998 Fiesta Bowl
National Championship Of Bands

Phoenix, Arizona
Bank One Ball Park
Details on our participation in the 1998 Fiesta Bowl parade.
See the official web site for the Fiesta Bowl.

Jump to [ Journal | Championship (Performance order | Placement order ) | Caption awards ]

Journal

Day 1: Tuesday, December 29th; The Trip to Phoenix

The trip began at 4am on Tuesday as the band members arrived at Webster High School for bus boarding to the airport. Over the course of the day, the students and boosters made it safely to Phoenix. The final boosters group's flight was delayed by three hours arriving at 8:20 local time. We all wrapped up the day with a trip to Ed Debevic's for a 50's style dinner with "participatory" entertainment.

Day 2: Wednesday, December 30th; Tourists for a Day

With a 6am wake-up then breakfast, Arizona's newest tourists began their day. First we visited Montezuma Castle near Flagstaff. (Although Montezuma himself was never actually there, the name stuck from early settlers who mistakenly thought the cliff dwellings were Aztecan in origin.)

Next step, the Grand Canyon! Wow!! Most of the group had never seen it. It was fantastic! This 277 mile long chasm was about 10 miles wide where the group visited (up to 18 miles wide in other areas). At an altitude of about 7,000 feet above sea level, many people could feel the effects of the thinner air. Some of the students and boosters made a trek partway down the Bright Angel Trail. Photo-ops were everywhere. We even were able to see a gorgeous sunset on the opposing canyon wall before boarding the buses for the ride back to Phoenix.

For dinner, we stopped in Flagstaff. The band members had an "all-you-can-eat" opportunity at McDonalds. The boosters satisfied their appetites at Sizzlers. (Which group do you think felt they got the better deal?! ;-) ) By 10:45pm, all were back at the hotel to rest for the next day.

Day 3: Thursday, December 31st; This Year's Last Rehearsal

For the morning and afternoon, the band rehearsed for their last time this year (not this season!). The practice was at a local high school football field on dry brown grass and a dusty field with the temperature in the mid-70's. At 3pm they headed off to a local mall for free time. After a 6:30 supper at the motel, the band headed to a private new year's eve party at the Phoenix Convention Center for all the Fiesta Bowl participating bands. Most of the boosters attended the Tempe New Year's Eve Block Party.

The Convention center included many different forms of entertainment for the students. In the center was a large dance area with music provided by a D.J. For the duration of the party, you could find about half of the party-goers hovering around the flashing lights and not-too-loud music. Others were in line for various physical challenges including: velcro wall, obstacle course, slide, boxing, king-of-the-hill, horizontal bungee run, and more. All of the physical activites were inflated structures cushioning the inevitable falls. Some of the students celebrated their "real" new year's at 10pm local time.

By 11:30pm both groups were back at the hotel. After a brief pre-celebration for the new year, the exhausted party-goers turned in to rest for tomorrow's rehearsal and performance.

Day 4: Friday, January 1st; Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship

For the last time, Webster practiced "Roman Festivals" and "Silverado". After dinner at 4pm, the band headed to Bank One Ballpark for their final field performance for the season. In front of an audience of approximately 10,000, Webster took 2nd place and several captions! (Details are below...) An elated and tired group of teenagers reached their rooms at 11pm to recuperate for tomorrow's parade.

Day 5: Saturday, January 2nd; Fiesta Bowl Parade

Webster had the honor of leading the Fiesta Bowl Parade in downtown Phoenix. They also were asked to perform a surprise performance at the parade awards ceremony which was attended by the Shuttle Discovery STS-95 astronauts including John Glenn. Everyone wrapped up their day and trip with a night at Rawhide for western-style entertainment, and the presentation of the marching band awards. Webster took 2nd in their class and 2nd in the Marching caption. (Parade award details)

Day 6: Sunday, January 3nd; Trying to Get Home!

The weather was beautiful for our stay in Phoenix. But, that wasn't the case elswhere. Two of our flights home were canceled due to winter storm conditions in Chicago. The first of our travelers arrived in Rochester before 7pm, with some more later at night. The rest are spending at least one more (and relaxing) night in Phoenix.

Day 7: Monday, January 4th; STILL Trying to Get Home!

There are still 95 Webster students and 25 adults stranded in Phoenix. As of 4:25pm EST today, plans were finalized to get them home.
Flight details: Accompanying the Webster people from Phoenix to Chicago will be 25 Center Grove Band members who also were stranded in Phoenix.

Day 8: Tuesday, January 5th, 1:40am; They're Home!

At about 1:40am the remaining 120 students, staff, and boosters finally arrived home from Phoenix. Ready to greet them were almost as many family, friends, and the TV media. Hugs and kisses were exchanged as were flowers and balloons. Signs were displayed congratulating the band and wishing "Happy Birthday" to one of the band members. Some band members who made it home yesterday (as planned) returned to greet the latecomers. Local TV stations WOKR-13, WHEC-10, and Time Warner R-News captured the event.

Jump to [ Journal | Championship (Performance order | Placement order ) | Caption awards ]

In Order of Appearance (Starting at 6:00pm)
SchoolBandCityPlaceScore
East Coweta H.S.Marching IndiansSharpsburg, GA

Center Grove H.S.Trojan BandGreenwood, IN 1st96.10
Cumberland Valley H.S.Marching BandMechanicsburg, PA

Pflugerville H.S.Pfightin' Panther Marching BandPflugerville, TX 3rd91.70
Pickerington H.S.Marching TigersPickerington, OH 5th85.55
Highland H.S.Marching PrideGilbert, AZ 4th90.70
Webster H.S.<---- Marching BandWebster, NY 2nd95.80
Oscar Dean Wyatt H.S.Jammin' ChaparralsFort Worth, TX

Jump to [ Journal | Championship (Performance order | Placement order ) | Caption awards ]

In Order of Placement
PlaceScoreSchoolBandCity
1st96.10 Center Grove H.S.Trojan BandGreenwood, IN
2nd95.80Webster H.S. <---- Marching BandWebster, NY
3rd91.70 Pflugerville H.S.Pfightin' Panther Marching BandPflugerville, TX
4th90.70 Highland H.S.Marching PrideGilbert, AZ
5th85.55 Pickerington H.S.Marching TigersPickerington, OH

Jump to [ Journal | Championship (Performance order | Placement order ) | Caption awards ]

Caption Awards
Drum Major 1stWebster H.S.<----
2ndCenter Grove H.S.
Percussion 1stCenter Grove H.S.
2ndPickerington H.S.
Auxiliary 1stCenter Grove H.S.
2ndWebster H.S.<----
Marching (visual performance) 1stCenter Grove H.S.
2ndWebster H.S.<----
General Effect 1stWebster H.S.<----
2ndCenter Grove H.S.
Music Performance 1stCenter Grove H.S.
2ndWebster H.S.<----
Audience Appeal Highland H.S.
Go to Webster's Fiesta Bowl field show for [ 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2002 ]
Go to Webster's [ <-- event --> ] [ <-- Fiesta Bowl event --> ] [ event summary | music links | home ]
This page was last updated Tuesday, January 5, 1999, 3:10am EST.
The accuracy of the information herein is not guaranteed.