News Release 8/8/04

The band's 2004 competition show, "Countdown... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1" is based on songs with a numbers theme, including variations of the jazz standard "Take Five," and the 1970s pop hit "One is the Loneliest Number" by Three Dog Night.

Director Wayne Markworth said his staff began developing the show in January and has been introducing pieces of it to the school's 193-member band at practices since mid-July. Music for the seven-minute show was written by Markworth's son, Andrew.

The three weeks of band camp included physically demanding marching aerobics to build strength, speed and control. The band moved off-campus for four days at Miami University.

"It seems like the harder the students work, the more they like it," Markworth said. "They are really committed."

The band now practices weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. plus Wednesday afternoons.

In 2003, the Centerville Jazz Band won three local contests, two Bands of America regional contests and placed sixth out of 60 schools at the BOA Grand Nationals.

Markworth, in his 35th year at the school, will again be assisted by brass specialist Mike Voytek, percussion director Tim Fairbanks and color guard director Jodi Fairbanks.

The band will travel to regional competitions in Atlanta (Oct. 23) and Pontiac, Mich., (Sept. 25) as well as the Grand Nationals in Indianapolis in early November.

"Countdown..." will be performed locally for the first time on Sept. 4 as part of the Northmont Premiere exhibition show in Englewood. Other contests on the 2004 schedule include the West Carrollton Invitational (Sept. 18); the Bellbrook Invitational (Oct. 2); and the Carmel, Ind., Invitational (Oct. 9).

The band will host the Mid-States Band Association Championships at Centerville on Oct. 30.

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