High School Salute: A Tribute to American Marching Bands (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

September 8, 2009 by Dennis Amith 

“For those who have an interest in marching bands, there is a lot of music featured on this album from classic to modern, movie tunes and music (songs made popular by Led Zeppelin, Europe, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, James Blunt, Star Wars, High School Musical, Pirates of the Carribean and more)  that can be quite inspirational for musicians, those currently in a marching band and those who enjoy listening to marching band music.”

BAND: The Band of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)

ALBUM: High School Salute: A Tribute to American Marching Bands

LABEL: Silva Screen Music

DURATION: 57:28

RELEASE DATE: 2009

1. Fanfare – High School Salute
2. The Final Countdown
3. Stairway to Heaven
4. Sunshine Of Your Love
5. Star Wars
6. Billie jean
7. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Candyman
9. Your Song
10. The Raiders March
11. High School Music Medley: Start of Something New/Breaking Free / We’re All In This Together
12. It’s Not Unusual
13. You’re Beautiful
14. Olympic Spirit
15. The Stars and Stripes Forever
16. Liberty Bell
17. National Emblem
18. High School Cadets

BUY THIS ALBUM:

I can remember when I was a young and in junior high, my aunt who was a cheerleader and her boyfriend who was a drummer at the high school marching band.  I will be truthful, I really not paid any close attention to marching bands with the exception of the “Tusk” featuring the USC marching band and the rock band Fleetwood Mac and of course, the excitement you would hear during a high school and college football game.

But I also remember seeing these videos on VHS tape of band competitions nationwide and him and his friends listening to these audio cassette recordings of bands which I know went over my head but as I got into high school, I started to learn that like the athletic teams, the high school marching bands (especially from the bands that I saw here in California) had pride in what they do, wanting to be known in a state and possibly national level and even getting a chance to perform at parades around the country including the Rose Parade.

But here I am decades later reviewing “High School Salute: A Tribute to American Marching Bands” featuring the Band of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) performing popular band songs such as “Star Wars” but also classic songs such as “Stairway to Heaven”, “The Final Countdown”,  “Billie Jean” and “It’s Not Unusual” and even more recent tracks such as “You’re Beautiful” and the theme for “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “High School Musical”.

I would assume like my aunt’s boyfriend from back in the day, and possibly like other band members, an album like this can be a source of inspiration in coming up with songs to play during the half-time of a football game or songs to learn for the school year.

According to the liner notes inside the insert booklet, The Band of the Blues and Royals have visited the US on many occasions and the music chosen for the album reflecting the broad range played by America bands from contemporary pop to classic Sousa marches.

As for the insert, you get photos of the band (which are riding horses), something that you just don’t see with high school bands in the US and information on the Band of the Blues and Royals and also Director Music – Major Tim Cooper.

Overall, for those who have an interest in marching bands, there is a lot of music featured on this album from classic to modern, movie tunes and music  that can be quite inspirational for musicians, those currently in a marching band and those who enjoy listening to marching band music.