Fremd marching band show is sweeping salute to culture of Granada

This fall, the Fremd High School Viking Marching Band is taking the audience to Spain for its 10-minute competitive march band show.

The band’s fall production, “Espana,” features the culture and music of the country. The show portrays a bullfight, a celebration, dancing and the famed city of Granada.

During the fall season, the 140-member marching band plans to compete at several local competitions, including Stagg, Wheaton North and Marengo High Schools. It just competed in the Wheeling Marching Band Festival in Wheeling, Sept. 24.

The band will conclude its fall tour with a performance at the Illini Marching Band Championship on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the University of Illinois.

The Fremd High School Band program consists of 260 students in four curricular symphonic bands. The Viking Marching Band is a voluntary, extracurricular ensemble made up of students from all four curricular symphonic bands, rehearsing outside of the school day.

For the 2011 season, participation in the band has increased by 20 students.

“It’s great to see the increased level of participation from students this year,” says senior section leader and tenor saxophonist Matt Grapsas. “The ‘Espana’ show is different because it gives the band the opportunity to play music from a different culture.”

“Espana” was originally written in 2010 by marching band composer Rob Stein, and was entitled “The Matador.” Later, it was rearranged for school marching bands.

“Students are doing an outstanding job portraying the excitement and flair of the music and Spanish culture,” said Band Director Matthew Moore. “The visual elements from our color guard costumes, flags and Spanish dancers add a lot to the show.”

“It’s great to see how the band has the ability to develop a sound specific to the show, and then bring it to life for the audience,” said senior section leader and trombonist Kurt Benjamin.

Senior drum line Captain Mitch Dinterman added, “The style and atmosphere of the marching band is unlike any of our other symphonic bands.

“Combining the visual aspects with the musicality and marching creates an awesome experience for students,” he said.