Band to perform at Fiesta Bowl in ’10

Marina High School’s band and color guard are preparing for a trip to the Valley of the Sun in January when they perform at the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix.

The school will be sending about 100 students to perform during the parade and take part in the National Band Championship. Marina applied for the honor and, will be one of 11 bands competing so far, said Jordan Hackney, band event coordinator for the Fiesta Bowl.

Marina passed the scrutiny of the Fiesta Bowl’s Band Selection Committee who look at the band’s honors and awards, Hackney said. The school received its first invitation to the State Band Championships in the fall and walked away with fifth place.

“They are really excited,” said John McGilligan, Marina’s band director. “This is the first time in a really long time they have been invited to perform at a national event.”

The band is in the process of recruiting, and McGilligan is putting together their fall show, which will be used for the bowl. The show will feature “spy” music, McGilligan said.

— Britney Barnes