News Summary

• Mainly using traditional marching band instruments, Oakton’s band played five Metallica songs and wore costumes adorned with wigs and chains to appear like Metallica’s guitarists and drummers.More than 450 high schools and colleges entered the competition..
• Chloe French, a senior who plays the trumpet, said she only knew a few of Metallica’s songs — mainly through her father.After learning about the contest, Oakton’s band members listened to Metallica songs during band class, in their free time and on bus rides..
• VanValkenburg, who has directed Oakton’s band since 2012, also put to use a drum set the school owned.Meanwhile, VanValkenburg said the band members’ parents planned the decorations..
• At school last week, band members re-watched their performance and reflected on funny rehearsal memories, such as rushing to put their wigs on and the smoke machine malfunctioning.VanValkenburg said he plans on using the prize money to buy new percussion instruments..
• VanValkenburg wanted to record the nearly nine-minute performance in a quiet setting, so he booked the football field one night in October as parents recorded the show on video cameras.While reviewing the video, VanValkenburg said he thought for the first time that his band had a chance of winning..
• A Virginia high school marching band’s recent performance abruptly paused as musicians wearing black uniforms put down their instruments and walked behind a makeshift stage..