Sebring High Marches Into State Championships

Last year was not a fluke for the Spirit of Sebring Marching Band.

After earning a spot in the state band championships for the first time last year, the Sebring High band kicked it up a notch with a better score to return to the state competition this year.

"We actually blew our last score out of the water," said Sebring High band director Colorado Paniagua. "Last year we got a 70.1 in order to qualify, and this year, we got a 71.8."

To participate in semifinals, a band must achieve a "superior" rating (70 points) or above at a Florida Marching Band Coalition regional event.

Sebring High freshman Andy Florez has been playing the clarinet for 1 1/2 years.

"We all practiced really hard for this and now we are seeing the results," he said.

Sebring High senior Nikki Owen is "ecstatic" that the group is competing a second year in a row.

Band practice is important, the color guard captain said, but the key to improving is practicing individually.

"I think everyone practices on their own just so they can get better for themselves and the band because without home practices we won't progress as much as we need to," she said.

The Spirit of Sebring Marching Band will be competing in the Class AAA division, which includes bands with 45-64 wind players. The largest division, Class AAAAA, is comprised of bands with 85 or more wind players.

The Sebring High band has another chance this weekend to score higher points before the semifinals Nov. 22 at Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County.

If the band advances to the finals, it will perform the same evening at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Paniagua said the band has grown from last year.

"Our sound has improved tremendously and we've upgraded our look with the new pants," she said.

They are hoping new jackets will enhance the looks and the confidence.

"If they look better, they feel better and they play better," Paniagua added.

The four-movement marching and competition show is called "Elemental," which was written by Jair Klarfeld for the Spirit of Sebring Marching Band. It's based on the four elements: air, earth, fire and water.

The band's repertoire includes popular up-tempo rock tunes such as: "Smoke On the Water," "Enter the Sandman," "The Horse" and "Iron Man."