Allen Paul Oncale
February 19, 2020
Austreda “Be Be” Collins
February 19, 2020
Ellender Marching Band received the first ever award from new “Krewe”.
Ellender High School Marching Band, about 100 members, received the “Distinguished Band” award from “The Ancient and Mystic Krewe of Tootsie Roll,” Wednesday February 19, for their performance during the Krewe of Hercules parade. Chad Adams, a founding member, delivered a certificate to the band during class.
One senior, Kirstin Robin, who plays clarinet, described winning the award as “Amazing!”
The band will receive a trophy as part of the award, but it isn’t quite finished yet – Debbie’s trophies is donating the trophy.
The band is still competing in concert season while marching in these parades, and Robin said she prefers marching in events like this because, “in concert you just sit down and it’s boring.”
“In marching you get to get up and actually have fun with it – like you get to move around and be energetic,” she said.
They performed “Snake” in front of the Krewe of Tootsie’s six judges, and Robin said they moved in a snakelike pattern for the performance.
According to the Head Director Anthony Joseph, who has been head for 15 years, said the band performed concert on Feb. 18, and received “excellent ratings.”
The Tootsie Krewe, was formed by Adams and friends in 2019 as he described “as a joke thing.” He said many are former band members, himself a trumpet player, who wanted to do something positive for bands who march in parades. Currently their Facebook page has a People’s Choice vote going on and has 962 votes so far with Ellender in the lead at 388.
The Tootsie Krewe is making an 8-foot banner that will be awarded to the best marching band from local parades on Mardi Gras.
According to Adams, other bands awarded thus far are: Krewe of Aquarius Parade: H.L. Bourgeois High School; and Krewe of Hyacinthians Parade: Terrebonne High School.
