The Fairfax Marching Lions’ Drum Majorette seems to be saying, “Shhh, I think we won, but don’t say it out loud.” Photo by Doug Lantz |
The Fairfax Marching Lions, once a proud Los Angeles City Champion before a 25-year long hiatus, have returned to glory in their first parade, winning 1st Prize for Band and Color Guard at the Annual African History Month Parade held in late February.
Sponsored by the LA’s South Youth Enrichment Program, according to Fairfax Music Director Ray Vizcarra, the parade route took the rookie band from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Slauson Avenue along Western; a mile and a half march.
“The youths performed amazingly. When they are in practice they’re good,” Mr. Vizcarra said, “but they wowed me when they performed. They really rose to the occasion – they put it on - and brought a huge smile to my face. I didn’t really expect a victory; I’m very proud of them.”
Several other local bands competed, although precisely how many could not be confirmed before press time. To Mr. Vizcarra, the timing of the accomplishment couldn’t be sweeter. He joined the faculty at Fairfax almost one year to the day before the band’s victory in its first parade.
Ray Vizcarra strides next to a young Fairfax Marching Lion. Photo by Doug Lantz |
The band was only a memory one year ago when Mr. Vizcarra first joined the Fairfax High School staff as Music Director. After arriving at his post to find no band, no chorus – only a dumping ground for the disinterested student disguised as a music appreciation class – he determined to bring music making back to the students.
“I was cleaning out closets,” he told WeHoNews soon after his arrival, “and I ran across these albums of photos of the Fairfax Band from 25 years ago. We found uniforms that hadn’t been worn in over 20 years. We discovered that Fairfax once had a championship band and music program.”
He immediately set out to make music ring in the halls of Fairfax H.S., laying the groundwork for a color guard and band to perform at football games (the Fairfax Lions are a perennial Los Angeles High School football powerhouse).
Photo by Doug Lantz |
Mr. Vizcarra said at the time, “Marching bands are great [to begin with] because everyone, regardless of their skill level, can participate,” he said.
“I can write arrangements of the tunes the kids are listening to right now – I already started asking kids in the hall; I think they think I’m a little nuts – and give them something to play that they can identify with and around to boost school spirit.”
The Fairfax Marching Lions’ Color Guard won 1st prize as well. Photo by Doug Lantz |
His formula, combined with his winning ways, has succeeded beyond his hopes. When WeHoNews profiled the stirrings of the Fairfax Marching Lions in July of 2006 (see The Famed Fairfax Marching Lions Return!) Mr. Vizcarra thought he might “field a 60-piece band and 40-strong guard within a few years.” Already halfway there, his 36-piece band, 10-member color guard and 13-member drum line is certain to grow next season, he said.
He threw kudos to the youths’ for their enthusiasm, their work ethic and persistence. “We worked very hard, especially over the past month,” he said. “We had to all learn to march on step, right foot together and left foot together, to be a parade band. They all got it after hard work, and they learned the reward for hard work is a 1st prize.”
What’s next for the Famed Fairfax Marching Lions? “We’ve also been in a music video, by a band called OK Go, which was really cool,” said their band leader. “But it’s been a long year and I’m tired. I’m looking forward to Spring Break and taking my first real vacation.” And then returning, recharged, to continue to build a music program for the area’s youths.
Producers of the movie 'From the 50 Yard Line' have included the phoenix-like rise from the ashes of the Fairfax Marching Lions in their film project, and were on hand at the African History Month Parade to film the Marching Lions, other bands and the parade’s participants.
'From the 50 Yard Line' is being made by Doug Lantz and Dave Johnson. |
According to the producers, Doug Lantz and Dave Johnson, the film being made will include footage of the Fairfax band in various venues, as well as the Centerville, Ohio band, a big show band which won the national championships in 1992.
Their press release says that the “film presents the football field not only as a sports venue but also as a stage for the marching band. The viewer goes on an exciting adventure through band camp, auditions, prom, the marching season and national competitions. There is drama, emotion, artistry, reality, and full-on entertainment.” More can be learned about the film at fromthe50yardline.com.
Through showing the real life drama and joy of youths’ growth through band membership, by showing the positive impact on the youths’ lives, they hope to promote the idea of better funding for and music programming in schools across the country.
During the making of this documentary, Mr. Lantz and Johnson learned of what they say is “the desperate need for help with instrumental music education programs across the country.” They have now set up a Zero profit organization called March 4 Music to raise awareness and do fundraising either for their own programs or for schools in need.
The Marching Fairfax Lions are off to bigger and better things. Photo by Doug Lantz |
“Centerville did a fundraiser to benefit in part Fairfax,” they said in a press release. “Duke University is involved in organizing a fundraising event for middle school programs in their community. Kansas State and University of Virginia and others are doing something similar.
“Many schools are organizing concerts, bake sales, yard sales, door to door gardening and snow shoveling, and more. If we all unite…to raise awareness and money for schools in need, the changes can be monumental.”
Ray Vizcarra knows the feeling first hand, having watched his band of music makers congeal into a well-oiled machine, exhibiting all the lessons learned about team work, self-sacrifice, dedication and practice, practice, practice.
Learn more about March 4 Music at march4music.com.
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