Bands to converge on Merced

The air surrounding Golden Valley High School will be filled with the sounds of pounding drums, whistling flutes and growling saxophones much of the day Saturday during the 56th annual Central California Band Review.

There will be several competitions throughout the day. It all kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday on the streets surrounding the high school at 2121 E. Childs Ave.

The competition has grown since last year, according to organizers, and will incorporate music from 44 bands from Bakersfield to the Bay Area.

Mike Vasquez Jr., the director of bands for Golden Valley High, said the review is the second-longest-running band review in California. A band review in Southern California is about five years older.

The jazz performances will begin at 8 a.m. inside the school’s theater. The marching bands and drumlines will begin their performances at 10 a.m. on the streets surrounding the school. Fields shows begin at 5 p.m. inside Veterans Stadium.

Portions of Parsons Avenue, Dinkey Creek Avenue, Watertown Drive and East Childs Avenue will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., according to city records, to allow the outdoor performances.

The review began as an annual Veterans Day parade – first held Nov. 11, 1960 – and has morphed into the competition it is now. That first year saw 11 bands, according to organizers.

It’s known to draw 5,000 to 7,000 visitors, organizers said.

The review is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Cardinal Regime Band Boosters, which generate funds for the Golden Valley High band. Those dollars help cover the cost of uniforms, instruments and travel, among other expenses.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Bands to converge on Merced."