The Big Blue Band marches toward success
Posted on 09/29/2021
(SPS) -- With their whimsical yet intricate performance of Candy Land, the Big Blue Band sounds poised to earn more accolades.

The Sapulpa High School Band won first place at the Oologah Stallion Battalion marching invitational last Saturday with their sweet show, bringing home a tall trophy now shining in their school's front office.

It's the first marching contest the band has attended in two years.

"We placed first in our class. We also got the first place drum major award, first place percussion and second place color guard," said Whitney Yokum, Sapulpa Bands Director. "Then we made finals, and were first overall."

Candy Land is a board game come to life which requires intense practice from the 120 members of Sapulpa Bands, Yokum, and Assistant Band Directors Kevin Mozarko and Jason Reznicek. The band started with a three-week band camp over the summer, and now practices every weekday morning and for three hours on Thursday evenings.

"We have a whole design team that works with us. We have a drill writer, a percussion writer, our music writer, our guard director," said Yokum. "It's very much a team effort."

From a flute solo by Luis Nunez, to a woodwind feature and dazzling color guard choreography, Candy Land is a treat for the audience.

The students sink their teeth into classics such as 'Candide' and 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,' as well as pop culture favorites from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 

The show is more than music to our ears-- it's a feast for the eyes. Before their performance, the band rolls out an entire Candy Land set. A candy castle and giant lollipops were built and hand-painted by band parents and students.

Yokum says the light-hearted show is much different from last year, and that was the intent.

"Last year our show was kind of on the sadder side. It was about the hard times the kids were going through [with COVID] and our seniors not being able to go to competition," said Yokum. "So this year, it's the polar opposite. It's very fun, it's very exciting, and that's what we wanted."

The Big Blue Band competes in Bixby on Saturday, October 2, after performing at Friday's football game. They will attend the OBA (Oklahoma Bandmasters Association) contest on October 23rd in Yukon.

Sapulpa will host the 4A Marching Competition on Saturday, October 9.

We know the Big Blue Band has the recipe for success as they march toward their next competition!

big blue band trophy