Big Blue Band plays at Valero Alamo Bowl
Posted on 12/31/2021
(SPS) -- The Sooners weren't the only Oklahoma group at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio! Sapulpa High School's Big Blue Band was one of several marching bands that had the amazing experience of performing at the Alamo Bowl halftime show.

The Big Blue Band made the 13-hour trek by charter bus on December 26. The band was one of several high school bands that played at halftime, and one of three from Oklahoma. Noble High School and Alva High School also performed.

"The theme of the show was 'Be a Rockstar' and they perfected some classic rock favorites," said Sapulpa band director Whitney Yokum. "There was some karaoke crowd involvement so it was a fun show, and really an experience our students will never forget."

The Big Blue Band played singalongs such as YMCA and Sweet Caroline, and also got the chance to see the Sooners defeat Oregon 47-32.

SHS senior Alex White played percussion in the halftime show and plans to attend OU in the fall. He was proud to share the stadium with OU's marching band, the Pride of Oklahoma.

"I think I saw [the Pride of Oklahoma] perform three times this year, then seeing them at the Bowl, it's a very exciting thing to know that's my future," Alex told Tulsa's News Channel 8.

Band students also took part in a pep rally, visited the zoo and made a stop at Six Flags. They participated in a parade competition -- receiving half a dozen trophies for Outstanding Color Guard, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Drum Majors, Outstanding Music, Outstanding General Effect and Outstanding Marching.

In 2020, the Alamo Bowl band program was canceled due to COVID. However, historically, the Alamo Bowl has featured some of the best high school bands in the nation. Now, Sapulpa High School's band has joined those ranks -- performing in front of the crowd of more than 60,000 fans. 

The band returned early in the morning on December 31st, and was greeted by local reporters.

Go, Big Blue!

See photos and video of their journey on the Sapulpa Bands Facebook page.



News Coverage:
News on 6: Sapulpa High School Band to Perform at Alamo Bowl
News Channel 8: Sapulpa High School Band Prepares for Alamo Bowl
2 News Oklahoma: Sapulpa High School Band Prepares for Alamo Bowl

News on 6: Okla. High School Students Prep for the Alamo Bowl's Halftime Show
Tulsa World: Sapulpa Band Playing at Alamo Bowl
News Channel 8: Sapulpa Band Returns from Alamo Bowl Performance