The West Broward High School Performance Ensemble is flying high and feeling proud after a truly magnificent competition year. And proud they should be! The band captured the Class 5A state championship following a once-in-a-lifetime performance at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach.
The Performance Ensemble, an evolution of the traditional marching band, consists of wind players, percussionists and a color guard. During competitions, ensembles are evaluated by a team of judges on a number of criteria including music performance, visual performance, general effect, percussion and auxiliary (color guard).
The band wowed spectators and judges in a fun, whimsical and eye-catching performance enhanced by large colorful rooftops and enormous gaslight lantern props. The show, titled “Lost in the Fog” was based on Mary Poppins.
The umbrella-wielding (ala Mary Poppins) and flag twirling color guard, dressed in long dark frocks, perfectly interpreted the flawlessly executed music of the marching band. The performance was the final victory of the year for the ensemble, earning them overall First Place in the FMBC (Florida Marching Band Championships) and making West Broward High’s Performance Ensemble State Champions for the 2019-2020 school year.
“They won many local competitions and even marched at the Universal Studios Holiday Parade in December,” commented proud mom, Divina Gonzalez, “But winning the state championship at Daytona Stadium was the icing on the cake.”
The band is led by Band Director, Dean Calmer, who has been with the school since it’s opening in 2008. He started with a very small ensemble, that has grown into the state champions. Calmer has aspirations to march in New York’s Macy’s Day Parade in 2022.
These state champions will be receiving special honors from the Pembroke Pines mayor and City Commission. Congratulations West Broward High School Performance Ensemble!
