Hey guys, as of now it's EXTREMELY rough, and I apologize for that, but I'm still gathering quotes (a lot of people are also saying they want to answer my questions after Logan, so I'm trying to find other quotes since this article really is just bones and no meat without quotes :x) and info from the directors/AFOB chair regarding the day's schedule. I have a good idea of how I'm going to change this article later, but for now you can shoot me for the roughness.

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Jasmine Wu
Arcadia Festival of Bands

Focus, unity, a tradition of excellence—all key proponents of each and every Marching Band (Band, Colorguard, and Percussion) member’s mindset. Five months ago, Marching Band was just taking the first few steps in what would soon become a successful season. With those three key elements in mind, as well as the addition of hours of hard work, 350 individuals (going to check on this) soon began performing not as individuals, but as one group. Sectionals, practices, and performances later, the Marching Band’s season came to a close with the Arcadia Festival of Bands (AFOB) on Nov. 20.

The day’s events began with Marching Band stepping off at 9 a.m., performing their competition parade march, “March of the Women Marines” by Louis Saverino. It was soon followed by the three middle schools: First Avenue, Dana, and Foothills Middle Schools. As AFOB’s host, Marching Band did not officially compete, but rather perform and receive a score. However, it was an excellent chance for Arcadia to be placed side by side, at the end of the season, with its main rivals Rancho Bernardo and Riverside King. Afternoon events included the Percussion review and the awards ceremony at 1:45 p.m.

AFOB concluded with an evening field show performance at Citrus College, the first of the bands performing at 4:00 p.m. Marching Band wrapped the night’s events up four hours later, with their show entitled “The Four Freedoms”. Though it was their last performance on the field under the lights at Citrus College, Marching Band members agree they saved the best, for last.

Fine but get them by this weekend because page roughs/story finals are on Monday!

Focus, unity, a tradition of excellence—all key proponents <do u mean component? proponent means advocate> of each and every Marching Band (Band, Colorguard, and Percussion) member’s mindset. Five months ago, Marching Band was just taking the first few steps in what would soon become a successful season. With those three key elements in mind, as well as the addition of <the addition of is unnecessary> hours of hard work, 350 individuals (going to check on this) soon began performing not as individuals, but as one group. Sectionals, practices, and performances later, the Marching Band’s season came to a close with the Arcadia Festival of Bands (AFOB) on Nov. 20.

The day’s events began with Marching Band stepping off at 9 a.m., performing their <its> competition parade march, “March of the Women Marines” by Louis Saverino. It was soon followed by the three middle schools: First Avenue, Dana, and Foothills Middle Schools. As AFOB’s host, Marching Band did not officially compete, but rather perform and receive a score <performed and received>. However, it was an excellent chance for Arcadia to be placed side by side, at the end of the season, with its main rivals Rancho Bernardo and Riverside King. Afternoon events included the Percussion review and the awards ceremony at 1:45 p.m.

AFOB concluded with an evening field show performance at Citrus College, the first of the bands performing at 4:00 p.m. Marching Band wrapped the night’s events up four hours later, with their <its> show entitled “The Four Freedoms”. Though it was their last performance on the field under the lights at Citrus College, Marching Band members agree they saved the best, <delete comma> for last.

Discipline, focus, unity—three key components of every Marching Band (Band, Colorguard, and Percussion) member’s mindset, upheld from the first summer sectionals to the last competition in Northern California to the very last performance under the lights of the Citrus College football stadium. Five months ago, in June, Marching Band was just taking the first few steps in what would soon become a successful season; countless practices and performances later, Marching Band wrapped up its street and field on Nov. 20, hosting the 57th Arcadia Festival of Bands (AFOB).

Known as one of Southern California’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments, AFOB truly reflected Arcadia’s close association with the phrase “tradition of excellence”. “AFOB really is one of Arcadia's largest community gatherings,” Band alumnus Thomas Tahani said. “People line up along the streets to watch groups perform, and it gives people a chance to slow down from the fast pace of the daily grind.” The day began at 8:30 a.m., with groups including Pep and JV Percussion leading the opening of the parade. Marching Band stepped off at 9:00 a.m., performing its competitive parade march, “March of the Women Marines” by Louis Saverino. Arcadia’s performance was soon followed by exhibitions from the three middle schools—First Avenue, Dana, and Foothills— and 39 of Southern California's top bands. As AFOB’s host, Marching Band did not officially compete, but rather performed and received scores; however, it was an excellent chance for Arcadia to conclude the street season with a bang. “I’ve always loved the opportunity we have at AFOB to march down Baldwin Ave. with the entire band,” said sophomore Rosalind Bump. “There's something irreplaceable about marching down a familiar street with 350 members of your second family to the roaring cheers of the local crowd.”

Afternoon events included the awards ceremony at 1:45 p.m. and a subsequent percussion review. Afterward, the 15 bands performing in both the band review and field tournament were given a chance to rest, recuperate, and get some practice in before their field show performances.

The first of the bands performed at 4:00 p.m. in the Citrus College football stadium, and the tournament continued until Marching Band wrapped up the night’s events in exhibition four hours later. Junior Natasha Hamilton commented on how performing on “home turf” had certain favorable aspects: “AFOB is my favorite show of the season because every year, when you look out at the audience when you’re standing on the field, there are so many familiar faces.” Arcadia’s field show, entitled “The Four Freedoms”, was arranged by Frank Sullivan and Kevin Ford and was comprised of four parts: “Freedom of Speech”, “Freedom from Want”, “Freedom to Worship”, and “Freedom from Fear”.

Though it was their last performance on the field under the lights at Citrus College, Marching Band members agreed they saved the best for last. Senior Daniel Zaki, Varsity Battery captain, said, “Aside from the enormous crowd, I appreciate all the recognition we get for our success; it really sums up our season and adds substance to our collective efforts that trace all the way back to early in the summer.” Senior Erica Tang, Varsity Pit member, agreed with Daniel, saying, “One of the best feelings is being a part of something bigger than just yourself, presenting everything you've worked hours, days, weeks and months for to an audience in one shot, and coming away and thinking, ‘Yeah, that was good. I hope they loved watching it as much as we loved performing it.’”

Though AFOB served as a conclusion for Marching Band’s season, freshman Ron Gur saw the day in a different light. “This is my first time being in AFOB with a red uniform on and a giant A in the front,” said Ron. “I feel that this is a great beginning for me in band.”

Are the "Arcadia's" supposed to be AHS's?