GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - After years of not seeing Gridley’s musicians riding down parade routes on the back of flatbed trucks, Gridley Unified School District Band, Music Technology and piano teacher Ethan Jacobsen has resurrected the marching bands.

Both Sycamore Middle School and Gridley High School bands have started rebuilding the program and putting in the difficult work, practicing formations and memorizing music. As a result, Gridley residents saw both marching bands march the Red Suspenders Day Parade route earlier this year in full uniform.

The Gridley High School Band has taken it one step further and has begun competing in area marching band competitions and parades.

To prepare for the marching season, music director Jacobsen said that the Gridley High School Band held a five-day Band Camp during the summer where they learned the “Host of Freedom” march by Karl L. King.

Since then, they have participated in two competitive events.

Bands are placed in divisions based on the number of students in the band, Jacobsen said. The Gridley High School band is considered a 1A division band.

On Oct. 12, the Gridley High School Marching Band traveled to Franklin High School in Elk Grove to participate in the Franklin Band Review. According to Jacobsen, more than 30 bands competed, with five in the 1A division. The Gridley High School band performance took home second-place.

Fast forward to the Oct. 19 Del Oro Band Review at Del Oro High School in Loomis. Jacobsen said there were about 15 marching bands vying for titles and three 1A bands that the Gridley High School band was up against.

After receiving a fantastic score of second-place in Franklin, Gridley band members hoped for another high rank and they were not disappointed. Coming in just .05 points shy of first-place, Gridley High School took another second-place.

In addition, the Gridley High School drumline competed with a cadence by Bob Schofield, Gridley High School’s CTE Pathway teacher and the former Paradise band director.

Jacobson proudly reported on the recent successes of the Gridley High School Band and drumline.

“Our band almost doubled in size this school year and we’re hoping to continue growing the program,” Jacobsen said. He looks forward to a bright and melodious future.

The next Gridley High School Band performance will be at the annual Renaissance Dinner on Nov. 13 and 24. Proceeds support Gridley Unified School District music departments.