Pearl City Band puts on halftime extravaganza at Blue-Gray Classic
By Graham Dunn

Have you ever been to a band concert and, suddenly, a football game broke out?

In some cases, the Kelly Tire Blue Gray Classic was just that... a fabulous band show with a football game thrown in. Many of the 22,000 on hand for last Thursday's game went for alternative reasons besides football, one being the Pearl City High School Marching Charges, direct from Honolulu, Hawaii.

The band was invited by Dr. John Long of Troy State University to play at this year's Classic. Gerald Suyama, principal of the school, was elated to accept Longšs invitation.

"It didn't take much to get us to say yes," Suyama said. "He asked and we said, 'sure, we'd love to come.'"

The Pearl City band is considered the largest high school band in the world with 365 musicians and dancers. The band travels all over the country, performing in major events, including the Rose Bowl Parade, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Citrus Bowl, and other holiday performances. The band also performs at the NFL Pro Bowl every year in January.

So, what sets this high school band apart from others? It could be the Hawaiian dancers. Or, it could be the thousands of balloons. Or, it could be the football-field-sized American Flag that is traditionally unfurled at the end of the program. In other words, this is more than "Louie, Louie." "It is something that we are very proud of," Suyama said. "So much hard work goes into this program by everyone involved; students, parents, the teachers and volunteers. They make it happen."

Suyama was especially complementary of the work of the parents. The mothers and fathers are responsible for everything from sewing banners to raising money to pay expenses.

"The parents are responsible for so much in this show," Suyama said. "Without their support and hard work, there would be no show. All of the banners you saw were sewn by parents and friends. All of the volunteer work done in Hawaii is by the parents. They are as dedicated as the students."

The band began the lavish program 20 years ago when the school hired Michael Nakasone as its band director. Nakasone sought ideas from some of the best college programs in the country and came up a halftime show that is second to none. Yet the success goes back to the home folks.

"Actually, this is all done for the students," Nakasone said. "They make it exciting. Add all of the people who participate, from current parents to parents of students who have graduated, everyone makes it special."

After watching the performance last Thursday, it is hard to believe that the members of the band did not have to audition to be in the band. Thanks a solid junior high program, students don't have to.

"The talent base starts with our junior high program," Suyama said. "When Michael gets the band members, they already have a good grasp of music."

The band is scheduled to perform in the Rose Bowl parade in 2000. In the meantime, look for them in the Pro Bowl in January.

"Most years, the highlight of the season is the Pro Bowl," Suyama said. "But, we will always be grateful to the people of Montgomery. This has been a great experience for us.

"The Southern hospitality was terrific."

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