Minarets Show Band members had the honor to perform at the Madera Compact Luncheon to perform for guests. Students left on September 28, 2018 to the Madera Courthouse which they had been working hard on their techniques and songs for the performance. Many of the songs performed varied from classic favorites like Hit Me With Your Best Shot, I Love Rock and Roll, Rolling in the Deep and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough to new songs like September, Black Horse and Respect. Many new and former students played alongside teacher Brett Moglia’s band, the Yard Dogs.
There have been many experienced students such as junior Cassidy Smart, senior Emily Scriven, junior Jayci Coon, sophomore Thor Goodman, sophomore Angelique Ortea-Sampson and many new faces like senior Adam Colgin, senior Ceciley Varian, junior Felicity Johnson, junior Jacob Russell, eighth grader Keegan Atkinson, junior Madeleine Vellandi, freshman Patricia Stockton, sophomore Phoenix Bedolla, junior Savannah Stout, senior Sydney Hamilton, and sophomore Taylyr Moglia who are happy to be involved with Showband. Many feel that the event was a great performance and it gives members the ability to improve and work together. Senior Adam Colgin says “I liked the performance, I think everyone performed really well. There’s always room to improve but overall it was a great success”. After their first performance at the ABC 30 event on September 21, 2018, members are on a roll and excited for what’s coming in the future.
For students, Show Band gives them a bigger opportunity for themselves and as a group. One student junior Jayci Coon has big goals and aspirations for herself and Show Band. “I’m doing this alongside Show Band but I really want to improve my taste in music and compose my own songs. I wanted to be in Show Band because it’s teaching me how to work with other people because when I was little I just played piano by myself. I didn’t play as a group so in that way I kind of just want to keep going and make sure new people know what they’re doing and help out” says Jayci. Many other students have their own ambitions or dreams, or even just to join along the ride. Senior Emily Scriven encourages students to join even if they’re into music and don’t have a music-related class “If you want to join Show Band and you don’t have any experience like choir, percussion, or anything you can audition for Mr. Moglia or join Show Band next year”.
The director for Showband Brett Moglia says that Show Band “Really stepped up and showed some internal courage. There’s some things they still aren’t hundred percent comfortable with but they made the transition to “perform” the songs”. There have been a lot of new members who joined Show Band, this year, however, Moglia says that although a challenge opens up new opportunities. “There is new energy to the songs we’ve done in the past and the new members bring a fresh focus to that” says Moglia. Show Band had the opportunity to share the stage with the Yard Dogs, Brett Moglia’s band who have been together for sixteen years. His goal for Show Band is to be able to perform two hour venues in the future for the many shows planned this upcoming year.
“Show Band is very challenging” he says, “It’s treated like a varsity sport because the demand is high. You don’t just come into Show Band just to be in Show Band, you have to have a certain level of talent and work ethic. There has to be a demonstration that either by audition or from what I’ve seen from student’s in class playing”. Although the band may be challenging there is a lot of group effort and leadership that takes place. “There’s definitely some leadership going on like Adam Colgin has really stepped up and been a leader in the group and Jayci Coon is very crucial and everyone who has a crucial part. We’re welcoming a new drummer even though he’s a junior, Jacob Russell and Savannah Stout to pick up some drums as well. We have a lot of singers and a lot of the ladies that are really capable of singing so that provides some good competition. It’s going to be a challenging year because of all the new personnel but the opportunities will be great”. Keep your eyes open for Show Band’s next performance on the Great Day Festive Friday on KMPH 26 on October 19, 2018.