Each year in October, the Nazareth Blue Eagle Marching Band hosts a band competition called the Soundfest. Bands from near and far come to compete on the field at Andrew S. Leh Stadium. The SoundFest was originally dedicated to Augustine "Gus" Weinhoefer, legendary Marching Band Director in Nazareth who retired in 1973. Through the years, the task of organizing several hundred people for an on-field and off-field performance falls to the Nazareth Area Blue Eagle Band Parents who sponsor the event.
WAHOO !
This is the cheer that started many years ago.
We are the only band to do this at any competition! When the band members are lined
up and ready to take the field for competition, an appointed band parent yells:
"NAZARETH ... On 'Three' ... ONE -- TWO -- THREE --"
(all the band parents in the stands
yell:)
"WAHOO!"
and at the same time, ring hand bells. (It means:
'You're the best!
You're Terrific!
You can do it!
WE LOVE YOU!')
... and, while the sound is still echoing around the stadium, the band yells it right back to
the parents.
The morning of the 1st Competition of the season, all the trumpets go to
Perkins for breakfast. After breakfast, they go to WAL-MART, and
buy a new Section mascot for the season. Usually, this is some small stuffed
toy animal, "Beanie-Baby", or whatever.
The trumpets also go out to eat at "Chi-Chi's" (Mexican cuisine)
on the night before a Championship competition.
The Director Head Stand
Each year Mr. Boandl would promise to do a head stand in the endzone if we won at "Championships", the big final competition of the year. At first we were never allowed down on the stadium floor for the awards. He would always say he couldn't if we won. However, starting in 1996 we were able to be there due to our late performance position in the show and in 1997, we did it. We won! But this time he couldn't reneg. He did it! Well, with a little help from his wife!
Percussion Tradition
The Percussion section gets together for a SPAM breakfast before the USSBA Championship competition. Started in 1990 by three members at that time. They carried a can of Spam (the large size) with them throughout the season and ate it on the bus after the TOB ACC Championship competition. (...and you think this will actually ATTRACT new members ?)
Flute Section Tradition
Seniors makes sure that every Flute and Pic player gets a Spearmint Tic-Tac ® before
every competition. (...Is this where all those sweet notes come from ?)
...The Wheels on the Bus go 'round, and 'round ...
When on a bus, going to a band function and they come to a railroad crossing, band
members lick their thumb, touch something blue then touch the roof of the
bus. This has been going on for a few years and when you chaperone the
first time it is a surprise.
"Pixie Stix"
Band members consume "mass quantities" of a colored granulated sugar candy
which comes packaged in plastic straws, while on the bus going to competitions.
This confection is known as "Pixie Stix". (These are referenced on personal WEB pages throughout
the Internet, but there is no WEB Site from the manufacturer to tell you about them, so if you've
never had them - the closest I can tell you is to eat a tablespoonful of "Grape TANG" ®, or
pre-sweetened "Kool-Aid" ® .)
"Carbo'ing up, before the big one...just like marathon runners before a big race!"
Every year, usually on the night before a championship, the Low Brass and Tenor Saxes have a spaghetti
dinner at some selected Low Brass member's house.
(These are referenced on personal WEB pages throughout
the Internet, but there is no WEB Site from the manufacturer to tell you about them, so if you've
never had them - the closest I can tell you is to eat a tablespoonful of "Grape TANG" ®, or
pre-sweetened "Kool-Aid" ® .)
