On the upcoming Saturday, February 20, 2016, Bob Jones High School will be hosting the annual Madtown Throwdown performance. This thrilling event will feature middle school and high school indoor winter guard teams and indoor band groups. Along with Bob Jones High School and Discovery Middle School, teams from Sparkman, Athens, Buckhorn will compete with others in the southeast area. The forty-seven units competing have been practicing for months, and are ready to show us their talent!

“The Indoor Drumline will be performing their show “Danger Zone,” based on the movie “Top Gun.”  They have been preparing since the beginning of the semester,” informs Ms. Thomas, the Bob Jones director of bands. With all their work and effort, the percussionists are well prepared for this event. Rehearsing isn’t easy, so they have to set regular goals for themselves, and for teammates.

“Our groups set clear goals and work throughout the season to achieve those.  Music performance is unique in that it depends on every single individual doing their job in order for the group to succeed.  So that’s a big motivator every day.  You don’t want to be the one to let the group down.  It fosters a sincere sense of camaraderie and teamwork in each ensemble. Everyone wants the same thing,” adds Ms. Thomas. While practicing at home or at school, playing an instrument is a real talent that has multiple lessons along with it. The winter guard team has also been working vigorously after school.

“The Bob Jones guard works very hard to achieve a high level of performance.  We only get to rehearse 2 days a week after school so a lot of the work has to be done individually so we can put it all together as a group in the small amount of time we have each week.  I think that creating a show that the students will enjoy helps them have the desire to practice to make it perfect,” admits Ms. Howe, the Bob Jones color guard and winter guard coach. This year’s winter guard team will perform a brand new show, “The Plan,” which is about an exciting bank heist that explores different aspects of robbing a bank. During the show, voices from the performers tell the audience about how they will carry out their mysterious plan.

“The girls have been learning and practicing the show since early December and Mad Town will be their second contest of the year,” adds Ms. Howe. The winter guard team adds excitement to the show with their colorful flags, matching costumes, and dancing together in unison. They also have to set regular goals for themselves to achieve, Lindsey Booth (12) helps by leading the team. She is one of the color guard and winter guard captains this year.

“The competitions are very exciting. Our performances are very theatrical, so during competitions we perform to the best of our ability as we become our character,” exclaims Lindsey. Other than week to week practices, the time right before a competition can be nerve-racking. The guard girls spend less than an hour preparing their costume, hair, and makeup, and they do not have lots of last minute practices.

After all the practices, the teams are ready to show off their amazing talents at the Madtown Throwdown performance. It will be in the Bob Jones gym, starting at noon to 5:30 with winter guard, and the drumlines starting at 6:30 pm to about 8:30 pm. Tickets for this fun event are only $8, and be sure to bring your family and friends to support Bob Jones!