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For the seventh year, the Hollister High School Scarlet Regiment marching band will welcome a group of bands onto its campus to participate in the Scarlet Regiment Tournament of Bands on Nov. 7.
This year’s event will be held at Andy Hardin Stadium, and gates open at 2:20 p.m. while the competition will start at 3:20 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 9 p.m.
The cost is $18 per person, while children 3 and under, as well as students who are part of the band program at local schools, are free.
The event, according to Baler Band Boosters president Delores Williamson, is hosted through the Western Band Association (WBA).
Williamson explained that high schools that are members of the association can apply to host a competition and Hollister High has hosted this one since 2019 (taking a break during 2020 in light of Covid-19).
In regards to hosting the competition, “it’s a huge honor,” Williamson said.
Whenever schools participate in the event, they give positive feedback on Hollister High’s facilities, as well as how the event is run, she said.
This year, 17 schools are going to participate, having grown from eight during the first installment of the event. Williamson said she expects to see more than 1,000 students participate at the tournament. Schools as close as Gilroy and as far away as Fresno will participate this year.
Schools are divided into divisions from 1A to 5A, Williamson said, and “every group has their own show,” which they start practicing in the summer time.
Williamson said this year’s theme is Pandora’s Lament. Each group has a 7- to 12-minute performance.
According to Williamson, the Hollister band usually places in the top three among all competing bands.
Proceeds from the event go toward the fee for hosting the event itself, she said. Any excess proceeds will benefit the band program. Williamson said the band program is provided free for students so “families don’t have the financial burden” of participating.
The proceeds also cover show fees, uniforms, meals and travel, she said.
Williamson said alumni who have participated in the tournament, along with the band program itself, have talked about the friendships and leadership skills they have gained as a result of their participation.
The community is invited to come watch the event, where there will also be local food vendors, Williamson said.
“These students bring music, choreography, costumes, visual effects, color guard and incredible athleticism together to create full productions on the football field,” she said.
Williamson said it would be great to see the community experience the event, adding “you truly won’t find anything else like this in Hollister.”
The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour and Taylor Farms.
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