West Seattle schools: More on the Chief Sealth Band’s big win

In our coverage last night of the Seattle Lutheran High School Homecoming, we included video of the Chief Sealth High School Band‘s appearance and mentioned a WSB’er had reported they brought home a big prize at the Issaquah Salmon Days Parade earlier in the day. Tonight, we have a detailed report from Chief Sealth (and Denny Middle School) band director Marcus Pimpleton, along with the photo above:

Congratulations are in order for the Chief Sealth High School Marching Band for their outstanding performance at the Issaquah Salmon Days Parade on Saturday October 3rd. The band took 1st place in the band division, besting regional favorites Interlake, Skyline, Liberty and Issaquah. The band received an average score of 97 from the three judge panel with one judge commenting “Wow… just wow!” and another commenting “Great! Just great!”. The Seahawk Band was praised for their lines, uniformity, footwork, music choices, intonation, dynamics, and choreography.

Earlier this month the Sealth Band also won the Music Award from the Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park, and joined forces with students from the Seattle All-City Band to help kick off the Light the Night Walk at Greenlake raising funds to fight blood borne cancers. The Chief Sealth Band is under the direction of Marcus Pimpleton, who is in his first year as band director at Sealth and his eighth year at Denny Middle School. It has been eleven years since the Sealth band has managed to upset the eastside schools at Salmon Days.

Congrats indeed! P.S. The Chief Sealth Performing Arts Department and PTSA are co-presenting a big fundraising dinner next month – here’s our previous report with details on how to get tickets.

westseattledood October 4, 2009 (7:34 pm)

Congratulation Chief Sealth Band and Mr. Pimpleton & Assistants!!!!

I stopped by one afternoon to watch the band practice. I heard them playing from Westeood Village and could not resist checking them out. The band sounds fantastic and they’ve only been back in school for a few weeks.

The dedication, hard work and incredible talent of this year’s students and teachers is so impressive.! This is just the beginning of what is bound to be a wonderous experience for them all.

I hope everyone has a chance to hear the Chief Sealth talent break it down. Really fun.

Your community is proud of you and thanks you for all your hard work!

Go Sealth Go!!!

Catherine October 4, 2009 (8:32 pm)

I played with the Sealth band way back in their glory day (back when they won Salmon Days last time!) and know that they have a long standing standard of excellence for the band. How exciting that they are in Marcus’ capable hands! I had the privilege of working with Marcus many years ago and always knew Marcus would do big things. I can’t express how excited i am to hear Marcus is directing. Hooray for Marcus and CSHS! I look forward to hearing you around this year!

WSMom October 4, 2009 (9:54 pm)

I wrote a rave in the WSB Forum for the CSHS Band, and want to reiterate that I think the CSHS band is terrific! Their performance during the Seattle Lutheran High School Homecoming game was a lot of fun! The Sealth band members are impressive ambassadors of their school and the West Seattle community. Good job students and good work Mr. Pimpleton! You ROCK!!

Melanie Tinsley (formerly Aguda) October 4, 2009 (10:40 pm)

Wow, this is great news!! I played flute and piccolo for Sealth in 1997-2001, and also for Denny Middle School before that. I loved band and choir, and also had the pleasure of working with Marcus a few times! It is great to see him in this position because from what I’ve seen, he is a passionate and dedicated man. The music program meant so much to me back when I was in school, and I am glad to see that it is once again in great hands. Great job Chief Sealth!

WSTeacher October 6, 2009 (7:21 am)

And let’s not forget to give some credit to Ms. Meyer, who directed the band for the past several years. She worked extremely hard to get the band to where they were when Marcus took over this fall. She is also a dedicated and passionate music teacher. Chief Sealth music, including the marching band, choir, concert band, jazz band, and mariachi, has a bright future.