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Following a busy fall parade competition season, the Granada High School marching band teamed up with the city of Livermore’s color guard to compete in “For Whom The Band Tolls”, a nationwide contest presented by renowned heavy metal band Metallica.
This is the inaugural year for the competition, which challenges collegiate and high school marching bands to “craft the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances of Metallica’s music,” according to the competition website.
In partnership with the city’s color guard — a competitive program that is based at Granada but open to all district high school students — the Granada marching band entered the competition under the guidance of band director George Pascoe, color guard coach Sierra Sowa and field drum major Angus Otte.
Their competition performance was filmed in the Granada stadium on Nov. 9 where they performed Metallica’s “Sad but True”, “Fade to Black” and “Lux Aeterna,” according to a statement from the Granada Music Parents — a nonprofit based at Granada for the purpose of supporting instrumental and choral music programs.
Granada’s marching band program traditionally focuses on parade competitions, concerts and pep band performances. This is the first time in Pascoe’s tenure at the high school that the band has performed any kind of field show. Students worked during class and at evening rehearsals to learn an entirely new performance style.
While preparing for the Metallica competition, the marching band and color guard also recently competed and earned top recognitions at the Santa Cruz Band Review, Foothill Band Review and the Napa Valley Band Reserve.
“For Whom The Band Tolls” judging took place online last month. While Granada did not place as a finalist, they still have an opportunity to win in the “Fan Favorite” category, which is chosen by public voting and will be announced the first week of January.
The Granada Music Parents encourage supporters to cast votes for the hometown musicians as the school with the most fan votes will receive a prize of new music equipment valued at $10,000.
People can vote directly at www.MetallicaMarchingBand.com or by texting #HSGRANADA to 833-609-0330. Public voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.
