WESTBROOK – The state marching band finals Saturday is shaping up as a touching performance for Westbrook, where 10 seniors are among the 63-member band.

Kyle Smith, band director, said Monday the students are excited as the finals rapidly near following its fall schedule of competition.

“It’s bittersweet,” Smith said. “It’s over Saturday.”

Westbrook will be one of 10 schools competing in the marching band finals on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Old Orchard Beach High School, 40 E. Emerson Cummings Blvd., in Old Orchard Beach. Competition begins at 3 p.m. and Westbrook marches onto the field at 3:45 p.m. It will rehearse at 11 a.m.

The finals will also feature bands from Sanford, South Portland, Wells, Marshwood and Edward Little high schools in Maine, and Portsmouth and Dover high schools in New Hampshire.

The marching band part of the music program at Westbrook High School has performed in several competitions this fall along with two football games.

But, Saturday’s competition marks the finale for the season and the seniors.

Danielle Good, a senior in the drum line, has witnessed the band program swell from 30 students in her freshman year to 63 now.

“It’s emotional because it’s their last year,” Good said about her fellow seniors in the band.

The Westbrook band is tuning up for strong competition in the finals.

“It’s pretty tough this year,” Elizabeth Torrey, a senior majorette, said.

Terry White, a Westbrook resident who is a retired Cape Elizabeth music teacher, writes the music for the marching band and likes what he’s seen. White saw Westbrook perform Oct. 20 in an event that was moved to Old Orchard Beach from Westbrook, which has experienced problems with the home field.

“They looked great and sounded great,” White said.

Last year, they won the silver in the final and the weather added its bit of nostalgia – it snowed as they were marching off the field.

Now, they’re “hoping to go for the gold,” Good said.

Before taking the practice field to prepare Monday, Smith held a classroom session.

“There’s a very positive vibe going on,” Smith told his students. “But we have to work hard to get better.”

In the music classroom, he showed two videos of their recent performances with narration by a judge, who mentioned phasing.

“Phasing means you’re out of step,” Smith said as attentive band members studied the video.

With emphasis, Smith asked the band, “Phasing means again?”

“Out of step,” they replied in unison.

Following the videos, they walked carrying instruments to a lighted practice field on the Westbrook High School campus. Smith led the band through a series of warm-up drills that included stretching, jumping jacks, pushups and a couple laps around the practice field.

The band appeared pumped up.

Their Westbrook Marching Band has a rich heritage as championship banners drape walls in the music room at the school.

“It’s inspirational,” said Torrey, who marks her third year performing with the marching band, “it really is.”

Brian Lawson, a junior, is in his third year as a member of the band’s color guard.

“All my friends are in it,” Lawson said.

Smith praised the students.

“The band gets better every year. “The students have a lot of pride and work hard, ” Smith said.

Milo Brooking on the tenor drums steps off Monday under practice field lights as Westbrook readies for the marching band finals in Old Orchard Beach High School on Saturday.
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