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After a surprise exit by Joe Allison, Dennis Carswell stepped into the director's position for the 1981-82 school year just days before bandcamp at Campbell University. To view this season's (incomplete) competition schedule and results click here.
After this season ended, we would enjoy a trip to our nation's capital and the surrounding Virginia area in May of the new year. Click here to view the letter we took home to our parents about the upcoming trip, and here to view the proposed itinerary that followed.
*as always, click on the images to view larger versions when available*
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Time To Get Things Started
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The Marching Raiders march that well known path from the bandroom to Raider Stadium in order to begin the Raider Band Fesitival by playing the National Anthem.
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'If the band didn't win then I didn't win.'
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Drum Major Jimmy Pearce won nearly every first place award during this season, while the Raiders struggled for their first win, before finally hitting their stride. During those near misses for the band, Jimmy always won the award for best drum major, but when he said it didn't matter to him because the band hadn't won, I knew he really meant it.
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Smile For The Camera
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The band poses for one of the local papers.
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From The Treasure Chest
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The 1981 Marching Raiders' drumline from the 1982 Raider yearbook.
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Raider Band Festival Exhibition
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October 15thThis day began well before our march to Raider Stadium that morning for the playing of the National Anthem. At the end of this long and hard, but enjoyable day of hosting nearly 40 visiting bands, and watching them perform, we got our turn on the field at 9PM, and this time, we were there for more than the National Anthem. The Marching Raider Band ruled this day. Of course, we couldn't actually compete in our own festival, but the judges scored us anyway, and after tallying the results, the conclusion was that we had taken 1st place in nearly every catagory including the best band in our division and the best band band of the day. *this image must be viewed at full size for full impact*
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Three Raiders Marching...
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Pam Smith (rifle) marches in front of Seniors Cindy Coleman and David McRae during their trumpet duet.
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Two Drummers Drumming...
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Scott Watson and Johnny King
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And One Lady Standing Guard...
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Ok, there are actually two ladies here, Freida Allen and Nichol Parker. Who is that trumpet player standing back-to-back with Freida?
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The Final Competition
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As was mentioned earlier, the Raiders went through a drought during which contest wins seemed to just barely slip away, but by the end of the season, things were in high gear. This season's competitive end would come on the highest of notes in Lee County. After that performance Halloween night at 8:15, the Marching Raider Band swept all of the top honors at the Brick Capital Classic.
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Last Hoorah |
Drum line Instructor Butch Farrah, a former Marching Raider himself, assists quad drummer Robert Wood with a last minute adjustment while Kevin Woodard (quad), Virgil Bowler (snare), Dan McGrew (bass drum), and Angie Ammons (cymbals) look on. During this May 1982 trip to Washington, in a park near The Smithsonian Institute, the Marching Raiders warm up for an exhibition at the Reflecting Pool outside the Lincoln Memorial. The exhibition will be this group's final performance together as Marching Raiders.
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