TRAVERSE CITY -- Mark your calendars: the pageantry of 20 marching bands and more than 1,200 students is coming Monday to Traverse City.
The Thirlby Marching Band Exhibition showcases high school musicians from around the region at a popular fall gathering that draws a loyal community audience.
The ninth annual extravaganza will run through the halftime shows of participating schools, the program going from the smallest to the largest band.
For one evening on the football field, the action will be all about the music and marching -- no scoring allowed.
"The biggest lesson our students learn from the Thirlby Expo is how much they're appreciated by the community," said Jake Brumbaugh, director of bands at Traverse City Central High School. "It's easy, even in Traverse City where music programs are supported so much, for the kids to think that they aren't valued as much as the athletes they perform with, and that's something that simply isn't true."
Presenting a program of classic pop/rock tunes, Brumbuagh's band in one year has almost doubled in size to 110 students. With ninth-graders now at high schools in the district this year, nearly two-thirds of his marchers are new.
Despite this, the band -- with the addition of a color guard for the first time in years -- is exceeding expectations and pumped up for the Thirlby event.
"They're a wonderful group of students, as I've told them several times this year," Brumbaugh said. "I haven't ever worked with a group of people that have such enthusiasm and character, they are truly remarkable kids."
Central High School euphonium player Jordan Sterk declared that the exhibition is the highlight of the marching band season.
"I personally really enjoy it, I always go early to watch all the bands," said the senior, participating for the third time. "It's non-stop halftime shows, you get to see the progress of the other bands and how good they are."
Regional marching band powerhouse Petoskey High School brings 200-plus musicians every year, corralling five buses and three large trailers to attend. Praising the contributions of 20 volunteers who manage the logistics and chaperone, band director Carl Brien said his students learn from watching the other bands perform.
"They do look forward to coming to TC," he said. "It's a great chance for us to see other area bands and for us to perform for them."
The learning goes on at the leadership level as fellow band directors network with each other.
"I do enjoy the chance to talk with other directors -- pick their brains, etc. and in the process, learn from others," Brien said.
The Thirlby Marching Band Exhibition is the brainchild of Pat Brumbaugh, director of bands at Traverse City West Senior High School. Launching the idea in 2000, Brumbaugh's goal was to involve as many bands from the region as possible while bringing in the community to enjoy the results.
The formula worked as audience numbers grew and bands returned year after year.
"It's great to play for a big audience that is filled with people who love bands," Brumbaugh said.
Logistics maestro Robert DeGabriele has been a major factor in the event's ongoing success. During his seven-year tenure of relentless volunteer recruiting and media outreach, attendance at the Thirlby Exhibition has more than doubled.
The Traverse City resident no longer has any children involved in West Senior High's marching bands but this year he agreed to again recruit, manage and direct the crew of 54 volunteers. These volunteers make sure everything from bus parking, concessions and warm ups to announcing, stage managing and trouble shooting happen smoothly.
"It's a well-oiled machine," said DeGabriele, who, looking to pass the baton of leadership, is training a multi-grade leadership team of parents to take over. "I have a huge list: seven weeks ahead you do this, six weeks ahead you do this and so on."
The Thirlby Marching Band Exhibition will be held on Monday, Oct. 13, at Thirlby Field in Traverse City. The program begins at 4:45 p.m. and runs until approximately 9 p.m. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for students.
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