SoundWave Band to 'stay in the 70s'
Dolphin halftime shows to feature music from Blood, Sweat and Tears
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo The 2008-09 Gulf Breeze High SoundWave Marching Band.

The saying goes that you can't have too much of a good thing. Apparently, sounds from the 1970s are a good thing for the GBHS SoundWave band, which will play music from the 'decade of disco' during halftime of Dolphin football games this season.

The 115-member band, led by Band Director Neal McLeod, will play four songs from the rock/jazz group Blood, Sweat and Tears - Lucretia MacEvil, Spinning Wheel, And When I Die and God Bless the Child.

"They're a lot of fun. I think the crowd will really get into them," McLeod said. "Most of the kids will say 'who?' Their parents will know," he joked.

It's the fourth time in the last five years the SoundWave band has played music from the 70s for their halftime shows. Seniors Andreas Hudson and Britney Toner are this year's Drum Majors.

The following are sections leaders for this year: seniors Alicia Jeffrey (flute), Catherine Riatusso (clarinet), Davis Thomas (trumpet), Andrew Cooke (trombone), Ryan Kent (baritone), Michael Schuster (snare drum), Dustin White (tenor drum) and Tiffany Sharar (bass drum).

Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Band instructors From left: Nakisha Keyes, Chris Cantin, Neal McLeod, Sharvin Moorer, Brandon Mattair and Jessica Baughman.

Mitchell Solomon (alto saxophone) and Joseph Rockett (tenor saxophone) are the lone junior section leaders, while Katie McIver (tuba), Gracie Alcock (cymbals) and Maggie Hooks (mallets) are sophomore section leaders.

Last year, the SoundWave Band performed songs from Chicago. In 2005, they performed songs from the 70s R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire and music from the jazz group The Manhattan Transfer in 2004.

In 2006, they played a show last year called Volcanus, which included pieces by Robert W. Smith (The Inferno), Frank Tichelli (Vesuvius) and Igor Stravinsky (Firebird).

Drum majors From left: Britney Toner and Andreas Hudson. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Trumpets Not in order: Nick Nawoschick, Scott Matthews, Ethan Bartolome, Josh McDonald, Zach Allen, Brandon Addison, Davis Thomas, Carlos Lawhead, Tim Gibbs, Omari Baines, Niki Merrill and Michel Joffrion. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Color Guard Front (from left): Brittany Stevens, Taylor Garrett, Julie Remitar and Abby Godwin. Back (from left): Ashley Hinklebein, Ann Harvilla, Lauren Earnest, Katie Hartman and Kayla Smith. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Clarinets Front: Sean Webking. Standing (from left): Catherine Riatusso, Ryan Mulroy, Abby Rogers, Lucy Pena, Laura Wagoner, Alexis Stryker and Alexis Halstead. Back (from left): Jessi Fiveash, Maddy Dickson and Brittany Langham. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Percussion From left: Mark Higley, Jacquelyn Boulton, Kaylyn Sessions, Liz Carney, Lindsay Fisher, Casey Shaw, Kris DelPriore, Olivia Jerrems, Michael Schuster, Tiffany Sharar, Mandy Williams, Dustin White, Roland Harvey, Alan Arnette, Brandon Fish, Kaleb Harris, Colin Frew, Michael Schmitz, J.P. Rosas and James Bielenda. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Trumbones Not in order: Zach Meehan, Andrew Cooke, Jonathon MacDonald, Ethan Lee, Walt Hartsfield, Maddy Bertz, Ben Medeiros, Joey Finelli, Nick Stott and Zach Taylor. Tubas From left: Wesley George, Katie McIver, Evan Bernard and Lee Freeman. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Mello phones Bottom: Kyle Koester. Back (from left): Will Bielenda, Scott Hardy and Thomas Roche. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Alto saxophones Standing (from left): Michael Powell, Mic Bourgeois and Mitchell Solomon. Top row (from lef): Lauren Harrison and Kalyn O'Connor. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Tenor saxophones Bottom (from left): Alex Tickle, Danny Gifford and Greg Leening. Second row (from left): Alyse Tack and Jake Stanley. Top: Joesph Rockett. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Baritones Bottom (from left): Rhett Legendre, Brandon Harvey, Chris Allen and Chad Thomas. Top row (from left): Kristy O'Connor, Ryan Kent and Marc Sessa. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Flutes From left: Kaitlyn Rasmussen, Amanda Curington, Jill Bunze, Adrienne Lennon, Adrienne Leffard, Rae Harrison, Jamie Droogsma, Kathryn Gough, Sarah Potter, Catie Yates, Jess Morgan, Elizabeth Patterson, Neile Nicholson, Andi Shaw and Alicia Jeffrey. Photo courtesy of B.J. Rotolo Band Director Neal McLeod.