Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devil Band To Turn Up 'Latin Fire'

Get ready to turn up the air conditioning when the Gurdon High School Marching Go-Devil Band takes to the field this football season.

This year's theme is "Latin Fire," according to Band Director Alan Wimberly, and the music being played at halftime during football games will definitely have the fans ready to dance.

While the names of the songs may not be familiar to those in the stands, the Latin beat will get the feet in the mood to move.

Some of the songs will be "Momotambo", "Latin Boogaloo" and "O Ye Mama".

There will also be plenty of color to match the salsa rhythms, as the percussion will most likely be dressed in flaming orange shirts, while most of the rest of the band will be in blue. Wimberly said the band will have all the color he can get on the field during performances.

This year the flag line will play a key role in the marching designs made by the band, as will the pit percussionists, and there's a large pit percussion group.

Wimberly said the flag line will be integrated into the show design more than ever as there will be a lot of curves and arcs, along with french curves.

He praised the band members saying they have worked hard during the summer practices and haven't complained in spite of the heat. "They've been working hard and I'm pleased with their work ethic," he said.

The district's administration also got kudos from Wimberly for the cooperation shown the band program in getting practice time scheduled. He also had high exaltations for the band boosters, who fed the band at Lake DeGray Thursday, Aug. 17.

With temperatures at, or above 100 degrees, Wimberly said, there were still 18 members of the band who didn't miss a single practice. Overall, he added, the band averaged 90 percent attendance during summer sessions.

While the audience will be thoroughly entertained, the band members will be thoroughly challenged by the music they perform.

Wimberly said it is difficult music, range wise and key wise, as there are six flats involved the band will be playing at. The music is also challenging rhythmically as it's extremely syncopated.

"We're pushing them, but they've accepted the challenge," he said.

Last year's band went through its marching competition with little difficulty, wining all four contests it competed in and getting all 1s from the judges.

Wimberly said the band this year wants to have a season as successful as last year's, but the main goal is to earn all first division scores. "Anything we get above that is icing on the cake. We don't go to contests trying to win and be champs, that just happens. We've been lucky the last few years and have won best of class three years in a row at Ashdown."

It hasn't been determined which contests the band will participate in this season, but, because of Wimberly's lobbying at the state level, the band can be in up to five contests, as can any prep band in the state.

This is an option he may or may not exercise, depending on how things go.