The road to this year’s Division Finals was a difficult one. The fact that Crescenta Valley High School now has a lighted field has made availability for practice somewhat limited. The rain the week of Nov. 17-21 caused Division Finals to be rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 22. While preparing for the road trip the giant truck that holds instruments and gear wouldn’t start. Though attempts were made to fix it and jump start it nothing worked. 

An army of parents descended to help. Plans were made to rent two 15-foot U-Haul trailers from US Self Storage as students hurriedly unloaded the entire CV Instrumental Music truck. Then they quickly reloaded the instruments and gear into the two U-Haul trucks – but not everything fit. Several band parents stepped up to transport in their SUVs marimbas and xylophones.  

Due to the delays, arrival was late at Division Finals meaning that the students had a shorter warmup than anticipated. But they stayed calm and focused and their determination and grit allowed them to rise to the occasion and perform well. They won Division Finals defending last year’s Division Finals 5a championship and securing a coveted berth in the state finals grand champs, which will be held on Dec. 6 at Colony High School in Ontario. There they will compete against bands of multiple sizes from all over California.   

A community performance is being held at the CVHS field on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m. so family, friends and the community can have a chance to see their field show Uncaged without having to travel to Ontario. 

Submitted by Ameri RAMIREZ