Chelsea High School Marching band

Chelsea High School Marching Band has been known for their excellence in performing. The marching band has been known for getting all ones, the highest score that can be given in a competition one being the highest and five being the lowest, at performances as well as having unique and daring music selections and complex drill patterns. Having played music every where from the famous movie Rocky to the band Queen, Chelsea's marching band is known around the state of Michigan for being a very high energy Friday night show marching band.
Chelsea High School Marching Band has also hosted many different bands over the years. They have hosted the Ball State University Marching Band as well as the University of Michigan's marching band in the first annual marching band exhibitionism that was held September 2008.
You will find alumni of Chelsea's marching band all over. Color Guard alumni at University of Michigan and Michigan State University, and marching band alumni at Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, as well at University of Michigan.
Staff
There have been many directors over the years for Chelsea's marching band: Mr. Mazur, Steve Bergmann, William Gourley, the most resent being Rick Catherman. He is helped by the middle school band director Jim Otto. Phil Jones has been the color guard supervisor since they were brought to the band in 1977.
There are many other support staff, many being parents of the students. Parents help with the fitting of uniforms and with placing equipment on the field during shows.
Every year during marching band camp there are "student teachers" that come and help with the different sections of the band. Andre Dowell has been with the band for years helping the drum line.
Shows
There have been many shows that Chelsea's marching band have put together. Most of the music the last few years was pieced together just for the Chelsea marching band, as was the unique drill that Chelsea High School Marching Band has performed.
*2008 - Queen
*2007 - Blood, Sweat, and Tears
*2006 - Earth, Wind, and Fire
*2005 - Journey
*2004 - Moody Blues
Prier to these shows there were shows from the movie Rocky, Styx, the James Bond movies, and the famous song Thriller.
Color Guard
The Chelsea Color Guard is known around the state for its complex moves and daring stunts. Since it was brought into the marching band in 1977, Phil Jones has been working with the guard to try and always keep it at the next level.
In 2008 a majorette was added to the color guard. This is the first time that there has ever been someone twirling a baton in the Chelsea Marching Band.
Equipment
Some of the equipment used by the guard are the traditional flags, along with swing flags, rifles, and tubes. Swing flags is a flag without a pole, having a weight in one corner, and held by the other. They are used by swinging then around as though they where a regular flag, but have the ability to look as though they came out of no where and disappear just as fast. Tubes have been called by many names by judges: "strobe lights", "shinny metallic things", and so on. They are made with weighted PVC pipe that has been rapped with metallic contact paper, and are twirled much like a baton would be.
Recent Happenings and Events
September 2008 Chelsea High School Hosted its First Annual Marching Band Expedition, hosting 8 bands and the U of M Marching Band. The Show was a success, bringing U of M's Chelsea Marching Band alumni Allison Frayer and Ashlee Kucinski back to their home town field to perform once again.

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