Visalia Band Showcase: An Honorable Showcase

The annual Visalia Band Showcase was hosted on October 2nd, 2023 at Golden West’s Groppetti Stadium. It held performances from Redwood’s very own band, dance force, and cheer squad. This showcase is a non-competitive way for the performing arts to show what they have in store. Redwood’s performers, teachers, and even the coordinator of the event give their thoughts about the showcase and about how it went.

Redwood’s band performed their show, “Tangled up in Blue” for the showcase. The show is filled with exciting moments such as a trumpet solo and as well as a three person baritone solo. This show even has music from Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”. The band has been practicing for months in order to perfect the show as best as they can. 

Jacob Abbot, ‘24, who performed the trumpet solo during the second movement, shared a few thoughts about the show and his solo.

“I think it went pretty good. I messed up a tiny bit but I think I was the only one who noticed because in the recording I couldn’t even tell.”

Abbot thought the entire band had overall done really good for one of their first performances outside of school. While he is very proud of how they performed, he does think they need a bit more touch ups.

“A big one is music, cause I think, especially for this show we were tired because we had done a lot of playing before so we were a little rusty and didn’t sound as loud as we could’ve been. Especially for me ‘cause there was a lot of moments where I couldn’t even play anymore because I was so tired.”

Percussion Caption Joey Hernandez was also present and not only watched the percussion section performed but helped them prepare for the event as well. 

 “Preparation for the showcase came mostly in the form of rehearsals with the group…we’ve been pushing for more consistent high level performances.”

For how the performance itself went he says, “Our performers played great at the showcase. It was our first big night out performing for large audiences. There were nerves and natural distractions to overcome but we have a deep pool of talent..I’m most proud of our work together.”

Mr. Hernandez was also able to give some insight on what the percussion section has ahead of them, he says, “We continue our pursuit of that ever-elusive perfect performance but I have come to expect nothing but great things from our competitive ensemble.” 

Cheer also participated in the showcase, cheering to remixed songs. Opening with sidelines while the other schools bands played. They performed the halftime routine that was used during this year’s homecoming game.

Carly Jenson, ‘24, is a four year cheerleader and gives her thoughts on how she thought cheer did during the showcase.

“The performance went well, we were all very excited to showcase our routine because we had worked so hard on it.”

Jenson’s favorite part of the event was when herself and the cheer team did stunts along with performing the new moves they’ve practiced. 

This is Jenson’s last Visalia Showcase during her time at Redwood High School.

“It feels bittersweet but it was still a lot of fun.”

Dance Force also performed during the showcase. Their dance show was filled with well planned and practiced choreography and Redwoods band was there to play, 

“Confident” by Demi Lovato, which is the song picked to accompany the dance show. 

One of this year’s Dance Force captains, Brienna Burr, ‘24, gives her thoughts on leading the team this year. 

“It’s been really fun, I think this year has been off to a great start…we’ve all been working really hard and I’m so grateful I have this team to lead.” 

On the note of the performance itself, Burr thinks the performance went very well, she says, “I think it went really well, we did our best, it was the first time we performed with band for this year…we always feel like we can grow from each performance, so we are excited to perform again with them.” 

Another Dance Force captain, Mykayla Bullock, ‘24, gave her thoughts on how she thought the overall performance went. 

“I think our performance went really good. It took a lot into the dance, we only had a small amount of time to do it so I feel like overall it went well. There were some mistakes but, as a team I feel like we did really good.”

Bullock’s favorite part of the showcase was when she was able to see the other schools and be able to to interact with them.

This is Bullock’s last Visalia Showcase while being a student at Redwood. 

“It was really a bittersweet moment, but I feel like there’s more to come in the future.”

This showcase wouldn’t have been possible this year without Myron Sheklian. Mr. Sheklain is a member of the Visalia . Due to the loss of Terryl “Terry” Garrett, who was a part of the Visalia Foundation which sponsored the event and had also come up with the idea of a showcase in the first place, Myron took on the task to coordinate the event to continue Terry’s legacy.

“It was started originally as an opportunity for the bands and at the time the cheer squad to share with the community at large the kind of things they do at Halftime shows.”

The showcase is not only for the schools to show off their halftime shows, it’s also used to fundraise money for each of the schools and their programs. Each year the event generates anywhere from 9,000-10,000 dollars from ticket sales and concession stand sales. The money is then given to each Visalia High School’s groups that participated in the Band Review. 

To be able to set up such a grand event, they first need to inform the advisors of the programs for every school that participates. The stadium also needs to be prepped, things such as the field, concession stands, and the platforms. They also need to make sure the community is aware by word as well as flyers.

Since each high school had performances, Mr. Sheklian watched each one and enjoyed them.

“They’re doing an excellent job, this early in the season.” 

Before the showcase began, there was a moment of silence dedicated to Terry. 

“Terry was an administrator in Tulare high schools and the majority of her career  was in Visalia Unified and she also was a member of the Visalia Education Foundation committee that sponsors this. So it was her original idea in 1999 or the 2000 where she came up with the idea of it being a fundraiser if you will, and that way giving the money right back to the students to support their programs. We dedicated in her honor because she passed this year on August 30th, which was basically a month before the showcase and for years she was the one who organized it and did all the work for it that I’m doing now. We felt it was appropriate to dedicate it to her … she did a lot in the community of Visalia.”

Mr. Sheklian wants to thank all the programs and schools for their time and participation in the showcase. He also appreciates VUSD for supporting performing arts in public schools, giving more opportunities to those who participate in any of VUSD performing arts programs.

Tags: arts, arts & entertainment, band, Band and Cheer Showcase, cheer, dance force, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca