Band Program Ends 2023 Indoor Season with 3rd Consecutive Medal Finish
Making their annual across-the-state trip to Daytona Beach for the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit Championships, the members of the Blue Radiance Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion Ensemble were ready for their final performances of the 2023 indoor season.
The winter guard was up first, taking the floor of the Ocean Center on Friday competing in the Scholastic Class AAA Paradigm Division with their program, “City Lights.”
The team ended their season with their highest score yet, a 74.48 and earned fourth place in their division. Suzanne Mason, Color Guard Program director said “This team this year has worked so hard and never hesitated as the show continued to grow and evolve each week. I and the rest of the staff are incredibly proud of them all and I am especially thankful to our seniors Makenzie, Annabelle, Emma and Krista for their leadership this year.”
Performing day after their sister ensemble, the percussion team was poised and ready with their program, “Clue,” an original concept based off the classic board game and 1985 film.
Following their performance came just a short wait for the awards retreat ceremony—and the wait was definitely worth it! With a score of 78.3, also their highest for the season, the team came away with a bronze medal in the McCormick’s Division of the Scholastic Marching Class AA. John Stacy, percussion director had this to say: “This year has been a testament to just how talented the students of the Riverview Band Program truly are. So many of our students this year were performing for their very first time, but that never stopped them. Our staff and student leaders worked hard to make sure each student was looked after and motivated and it all paid off.”
2023 marks the third consecutive year that the Riverview Band Program has medaled at Circuit Championships following the winter guard’s 2022 gold medal, the first in school history, the percussion’s bronze medal that same year, and the winter guard’s silver medal in 2021.
Staff Director Emeritus and Program Administrator Travis Miller commented on the Band Program’s overall success: “The fact that in just nine years the Band Program has medaled at Circuit Championships a total of six times is something I don’t think any of us would have ever thought possible. The hard work of our staff, students and Boosters is just truly astounding. Everybody comes together to ensure that our students and their educational experience comes first and that’s a beautiful thing to be part of.”