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It was the longest and probably the poorest attended Foothill Band Review parade ever, but still the 50 middle and high school bands that marched down Main Street provided stirring music along the way.

At least five long Union Pacific freight trains blocked the parade route from Amador Valley High School to Angela Street, where the bands turned toward the Fairgrounds and dismissal. At the reviewing stand, gaps between bands ranged from five-to-10 minutes.

By 10 a.m., with the parade only an hour old, many spectators who had come to hear the music had moved on to the busy Farmers Market on Angela Street, had gone to the community dedication of Pleasanton’s new Alviso Adobe on Foothill Road, or had gone home.

Of course, band parents from around Northern California who had escorted their students to Pleasanton for the early morning parade lineup and the Saturday night review, stood patiently along the route waiting at least until their hometown band marched by. Then they left, too.

There were also concert competitions during the morning at Amador, which went smoothly and on time, uninterrupted by the whistle-blowing passing trains.

For Foothill band director Bob Moorefield, this 34th annual parade and review was also his last. Moorefield, who has been director of the award-winning band at Foothill for the past 36 years, will retire at the end of the current school year.

Every year since 1974, on the fourth Saturday in October, the top high school bands in Northern California and Nevada have gathered in Pleasanton for the Foothill Band Review. The review has the grand tradition of hosting the biggest, most competitive and best-run band review in the area.

The band review is also the largest fundraiser of the year for the Band Boosters. Its success will help pay for new instruments to replace older and worn out ones. The fundraiser also pays for the instructional assistants that help make the Foothill Band as successful as it is.

jeb bing,foothill high school,bob moorefield

jeb bing,foothill high school,bob moorefield

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    With just a few onlookers along the way, Redwood High band follows its letter carriers at Foothill Band Review parade on Main Street Saturday.
  • 1412_full
    Wells Middle School’s band marches down Main street Saturday as part of the 34th annual Foothill Band Review festivities.
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    Wilcox High School band passes reviewing stand at Foothill Band Review parade on Main Street Saturday.

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2 Comments

  1. As usual, a great (but very long) proud day for band families. It is such a boost to see everyone come together and acknowledge the talents and efforts of the hard-working kids. Not sure if this was an unusual year for long freight trains on Saturday, from what Jeb said in the article? Also, given the layout of the route (from Amador HS down Main St. and over to the Fairgrounds, not sure what could be done to avoid the train situation and prevent the long delays. Any ideas on that, anyone?

    (also, and just a teeny grammatical point, from remembering what my own high school English teacher hammered into my thick head a fair number of years ago: it should be “most poorly attended”, not “poorest attended”)

  2. There were also field show competitive performances held that evening at Foothill high school. Each band performed well and the performances were well attended.

    Thank you to the downtown businesses and the Foothill High School neighbors for allowing this event to occur.

  3. My wife and I happened by on our Saturday morning walk to, you guessed it, the farmer’s market. We didn’t notice the trains, but the music and kids were wonderful! Thanks for the many mini concerts! I think the event could use a bit more publicity as we had no clue what was going on until we saw the buses.

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