Bingham band: 2012 season recap

This is the article recapping the Bingham High School Marching Band's 2012 season that will appear in the team's post-season yearbook.

By  Bruce Smith
Matchup
 
            After a season of countless practice sessions in all kinds of weather, classroom sessions, football games and competitions, the Bingham Marching Band’s season came down to one day.
            It was Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. The entire group was in St. George and had already finished its show in front of the crowd at Desert Hills High School. The worst part was the waiting.
            “They didn’t announce us until last,” said band director Darin Graber. “It’s a big deal to make it to BOA (Bands of America) regionals and make it to the finals. Huge, huge, huge.”
            It was a day of celebration for Bingham. Later, while the group was walking en masse to its final show, they had their most emotional moment.
            “We were walking down the street and all the bands (who hadn’t made the finals) stood up and started clapping for us,” recalled Lisa Forsyth, the flute section leader. “It was the best moment in my while life. I had chills running down my spine that (those) people actually thought about us. It was an amazing moment.”
            “The kids felt like they were six inches off the ground,” said Graber, who felt the same way.“
            Bingham finished fifth overall at BOA, but made history by taking third place among the 5A Utah schools. Graber said Bingham hadn’t competed at BOA before because it took place on a different date than the Red Rocks Invitational (also in St. George).
            In 2012, they were pared together so many schools, including Bingham, didn’t have to make two trips.
            “It was considered the actual state championship,” Graber said. “It was big for us to beat Sky View when it counted. We also beat Mountain Crest, and destroyed Lehi.
            “These kids are a different breed. Kids outside of band don’t know what it’s all about, but it was a big deal.”
            Graber said that 12 years ago, the marching band had just 40 members and to have this much success was unthinkable. American Fork and Davis were always at the top, but Bingham set a precedent by eclipsing the other 5A schools.
            “The attitude is changing,” Graber said. “Finally, we’re getting the reputation for this school and for the students. Marching band is hard and the kids deserve a lot of credit. You have to put together a musical program, play and march. It’s a lot of work and a lot to remember.”
            The season actually started shortly after school was dismissed. In mid-June, Bingham took part in the annual South Jordan Parade and some students also represented various groups in other summer parades.
            Band Camp was a two-week event at the school that kicked off the team’s fall hopes. Under the hot sun, they began learning the music and the steps of their show. The grueling effort wasn’t for everyone, and the team had to make adjustments.
            But then the fun started. There were nine competitions, a half-dozen football games (and one performance at Rice-Eccles Stadium), fundraisers and a bus ride to Disneyland that felt almost like  it was the finishing touch and led to a lot of lasting friendships that were built on the way.
            With all due respect to the “Happiest Place on Earth,” there was a better memory built for the Bingham Marching Band, and it may lead to more soon.