A strong showing in Siloam Springs on Halloween sends KOTO racing to Indianapolis to the Bands of America Grand Nationals.

Berryville Band's "KOTO" continues to amaze crowds as it makes plans to
take the show to the Bands of America Grand Nationals Finals in
Indianapolis.

At the recent Northwest Arkansas Invitation in Siloam Springs, KOTO
dazzled the crowd. In fact, a parent from a rival band approached several
Berryville Band parents and inquired about the process involved in having
such a fantastic program.

Berryville won first in the B Division during preliminaries, setting up a
showdown that evening with Springdale Harbor, and others. For the
afternoon performance, the band performed in traditional uniforms, but for
the evening's program, they donned the new KOTO costumes.

The Berryville Band received standing ovations from the marching bands
from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri for its newest marching sensation.
The band, adorned in black kungfu uniforms, entertained the fans with a
unique sound featuring taiko drums and a synthesized koto sound. Koto is a
traditional Japanese stringed instrument. Berryville enhanced the visual
element of the performance by introducing a huge Japanese gate called a
torii. The amazing prop is a very authentic replica of the floating gate
of the Shinto shrine on the island of Miyajima, Japan. The impressive 20
foot tall, 28 foot wide torii was designed and built by Rick Mann, with
hours of help from James Dean and other boosters. The gate towers above
the band as it performs martial art visuals to the driving oriental beat
of 18 taiko drums played by drumline and pit percussion members. Taiko
drums are a traditional Japanese rhythm instrument often played
ceremoniously to create drama and intensity. Mann along with Hack Culling
built the drums and racks for the show for a fraction of the cost of
buying actual Japanese wooden drums. Adding to the show's Japanese feel
is an arched Japanese bridge constructed for the band by Bob Mistark.

The color guard ensemble added traditional flag work, a Japanese fan
dance, and five equipment changes to complete the visual masterpiece of
Koto. In two separate award ceremonies, drum major Mallory Mann
accepted the following awards for the Berryville musical artists: Class B
Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, 1st Place, Finals Best Visual, Best
General Effect, 4th Place overall. The 81-member band competed against
huge bands such as Springdale Harbor and Conway (both of which tripled
Berryville's group). Taking Best General Effect and Best Visual show over
bands of this size is an indication of how impressed judges were by
Berryville's creativity.

According to Donesa Mann, long-time Band Booster President and music
Intermediate music teacher, "Koto is by far the most difficult and
creative marching show to come from director Daniel Hodge. I am amazed at
the artistic and musical value Mr. Hodge, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Morris and
their staff instill in our instrumental musicians. Many parents and
boosters have contributed countless hours to prepare props, uniforms,
meals, and funds to support the students' efforts. It is obvious the
whole team is extremely proud of this creation. In fact, the show is so
creative that we agreed it was worth taking to the Bands of America Grand
National Finals in Indianapolis. When the opportunity arose, the boosters
and the Berryville Board of Education got on board to fund the trip."

Koto will leave Berryville on Nov. 12, perform in the dome of the Lucas
Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Friday morning with 90 very competitive
bands from all of the country. Whether or not its first visit to the
Bands of America nationals results in advancement to semi-finals, the band
will gain a vast amount of education, experience and exposure by competing
with the best bands in the nation. Students are ready to see what other
bands are doing to get them to nationals. Berryville's performance at
Grand Nationals competition will be broadcast on live webcam at 6:45
Central Time or by pay for view anytime after that for $19.99 - $59.00
depending on the number of competion days accessed desired. Access link
is http://mfa.thefannetwork.org/index.cfm?network_id=2

Two pre-trip performances of KOTO will be held at Ronnie Clark Stadium. A
band pep rally will be held at 2:25 on Monday and a band send-off
performance will be held Tueday evening from 7:30 - 8:00. The directors
and students of the Berryville Band would like to show their appreciation
to the entire community by performing the show with no admission charge.
At the band send-off, the Band Boosters will provide hot drinks.
Donations will be accepted.

For more information or to support the band's trip to Indianapolis, please
call Donesa Mann at 870-480-6464 or mail donations to: Berryville Band
Boosters, PO Box 95, Berryville, AR 72616.