Amador Valley High School’s Marching Band and Colorguard showcased their talents on November 2, 2024, at the Etiwanda Bands of America competition competition in Southern California. This marked a significant event for the band, which was one of the only Northern California schools to take part.
Representing Northern California
“I felt really privileged to be able to compete because a lot of schools don’t get to and being one of the only schools from NorCal to compete there. It was just a really cool experience being able to represent where we come from,” said Front Ensemble Captain Raghav Chipiri (’25).
The band has a long tradition of success, having been a BOA finalist since 2006. However, after the challenges of COVID-19 and a break from national competition since 2017, the directors felt the band was ready to return.
“We went to Bands of America because we were excited to get back to the national level competition. We haven’t done it since 2017 and we feel really good about where we are as a program. You know, a few years removed [by] the pandemic and ready to test the waters at the national level again,” said Band Director Matthew Fell.
What is Bands of America?
BOA is a non-profit organization that brings unforgettable musical experiences. The championship invites bands from across the nation to perform and receive evaluations from professional judges. With feedback on various aspects, bands can measure their excellence and achievements while identifying areas for improvement.
Final Performance and Memories
Amador Valley placed 10th at finals, scoring 73.40. After the awards ceremony, students enjoyed a Bands of America tradition: a meet-and-greet with participants from other schools.
“I think the most memorable part of the trip was just meeting all the other bands that were there because most of them were SoCal bands. Just seeing how different bands were there, what sort of shows they have, what sort of music they play, and yeah, just getting to talk to all the people that were down there was really cool,” said Senior Drum Major Vardaan Singhania (’25).
The band poured their energy into their final performance, showcasing the results of their dedication.
“I felt really good about the way the band performed. And by the time we got to our second performance of the night, I was just having a lot of fun and it was a great experience,” said Singhania.
