TARPON SPRINGS, Florida – November 16, 2018, Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble was crowned Bands of America 2018 Division AA National Champion and ranked in the Top 5 Marching Bands in the Nation last weekend at the Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. The Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble (TSOPE) performed an innovative production entitled RP1. The production was inspired by Ernest Cline’s novel Ready Player One and takes place in 2045, where much of humanity uses the virtual reality software OASIS to escape the desolation of the real world. It is an immersive virtual world where you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone. The only limits are your own imagination.
Featuring diverse music, spectacular props, beautiful costumes and challenging formations, RP1 was a definite crowd pleaser. A special RP1 QR Code, printed on props, uniforms, buttons and trading cards could be scanned to reveal a look at TSOPE behind the scenes. Anyone could scan the code and find out about TSOPE, watch interviews with Director Kevin Ford, meet one of our student leaders and find out how our band parents build those amazing props. Everyone could be part of the performance by voting for which character they wanted to win the game. They chose from Player 1, Kratos, Player 2, Katsumi or Player 3, Akire. TSOPE ended their show at the Bands of America Grand Nationals, based on who won the popular vote.
The Grand National Championships is a Bands of America, three-day, Preliminary, Semi-Finals, Finals event. 108 of the top high school marching bands in the nation competed in Preliminary competition, 37 bands advanced to the Semi-Finals and the top 12 scoring bands from Semi-Finals, advanced to the Finals. Bands of America (BOA) marching band championships are the premier events for marching band in the nation. BOA encourages participants, parents and friends to celebrate the high value of the competitive environment for its lessons and to become immersed in its positive life changing experiences. TSOPE also attended the optional Student Leadership workshop as part of its integrated leadership curriculum.
Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble (TSOPE) was named 2018 Bands of America Orlando Regional Champion at the Bands of America Orlando Regional Marching Band Competition on October 13, 2018 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. TSOPE was also named Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. In Preliminary competition TSOPE won Class AA and Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. TSOPE is the Bands of America 2014 Grand National Champion and 2017 Atlanta Super Regional Champion.
Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts
The Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts is a nationally recognized program that provides an integrated, seamless curriculum in academics, instrumental music, technology, and leadership skills.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Cathy Lawson
650-996-8816
publicity@tarponspringsband.com
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