Ohh, and I thought it was neat the way they handled Valley's misconception.
In college, I've noticed that Valley in the Des Moines area and Linn-Mar in the Cedar Rapids area are viewed as stuck up rich kids. And to a lesser extent Urbandale and Ankeny.
I wouldn't agree with everything you said. Their marching band has actually lost a lot of members in the last 3 years. This is due to parents not agreeing with their director. Iowa City High has won three grammys. No, they are not the largest school in Iowa. Since they created a 9th grade building(which several schools have recently done), their enrollment is now around 1,900. Lincoln High School in Des Moines had an enrollment of 2,126 students in 2005. Also, the entire city isn't "uber rich". Have you ever been to the Valley Junction area?
Now, don't get me wrong, they do have a lot of potential. They have a great music program, and a lot of talented students. I just think you were going over the top with your description.
For the most part, there marching band, reguardless of how large it is, is always VERY good.
Second, if you were to include freshmen, Valley would be the largest. That is a fact. Heck, even without freshmen it is still a lot larger than some other 4A schools.
I did not say they won the MOST Grammy Awards (Heck, CR Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Iowa City High, Mason City have all won them), but I believe they won the FIRST one given to a school back in like 1997 or 1998.
Also, West Des Moines is an extremely wealthy town. For a city of 55,000 the entire thing isn't going to be perfect. But a large majority is wealthy and very nice.
So, the point was, I think they they have some of the biggest potential of any school in Iowa.
P.S.- The size of some of these schools surprised me. I didn't know Muscatine, Linn-Mar, and SE Polk were so large. And I thought Urbandale and CR Prairie were bigger (not that they are small by any means, but still)
Here's an interesting link to the Iowa Athletic Association listing of school enrollments. For whatever reason they calculate using grades 9-11 (even though as you pointed out a number of districts use a 9th grade building, Valley being one, as well as Johnston (8-9) and Ankeny I believe).
Anyway - this is the same list used for music class divisions if I'm not mistaken:
Additionally, there's an interesting article in the Des Moines Register today about Valley's success this past weekend in Omaha - and it alludes to some of the misconceptions that people sometimes place on that school. Valley has pretty much always had this misconception of who they are follow them around for years - even when I was in h.s. (I think it has to do with the name!!!) but once I met a group of friends there myself, I quickly realized they're pretty much just like everyone else...
Here's an interesting link to the Iowa Athletic Association listing of school enrollments. For whatever reason they calculate using grades 9-11 (even though as you pointed out a number of districts use a 9th grade building, Valley being one, as well as Johnston (8-9) and Ankeny I believe).
Anyway - this is the same list used for music class divisions if I'm not mistaken:
Additionally, there's an interesting article in the Des Moines Register today about Valley's success this past weekend in Omaha - and it alludes to some of the misconceptions that people sometimes place on that school. Valley has pretty much always had this misconception of who they are follow them around for years - even when I was in h.s. (I think it has to do with the name!!!) but once I met a group of friends there myself, I quickly realized they're pretty much just like everyone else...
Is West Des Moines Valley improving each year? With how utterly amazing the rest of their music department it, you would think they would be the best in Iowa. I mean their marching band is completely insane, they won like the first Grammy for a school. Plus, aren't they the largest school in Iowa? And...that entire city is like uber rich. I think they have some amazing potential, I think one day, with the right director and choreographer, Valley is going to be huge.
I wouldn't agree with everything you said. Their marching band has actually lost a lot of members in the last 3 years. This is due to parents not agreeing with their director. Iowa City High has won three grammys. No, they are not the largest school in Iowa. Since they created a 9th grade building(which several schools have recently done), their enrollment is now around 1,900. Lincoln High School in Des Moines had an enrollment of 2,126 students in 2005. Also, the entire city isn't "uber rich". Have you ever been to the Valley Junction area?
Now, don't get me wrong, they do have a lot of potential. They have a great music program, and a lot of talented students. I just think you were going over the top with your description.
Urbandale is very excited about this competition too. I've been lucky enough to see GCS live every year except maybe one since 2001 and this competition seals the deal for 2007. I'm most excited to hear your ballad. Your group is always one of the best singing show choirs around.
Also, it's really great to have another competition on our schedule that is just minutes away. Assuming they stay on schedule I should be home and curled up in bed by about midnight instead of 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. Plus I get to see my son perform with the Urbandale Middle School show choir!
Is West Des Moines Valley improving each year? With how utterly amazing the rest of their music department it, you would think they would be the best in Iowa. I mean their marching band is completely insane, they won like the first Grammy for a school. Plus, aren't they the largest school in Iowa? And...that entire city is like uber rich. I think they have some amazing potential, I think one day, with the right director and choreographer, Valley is going to be huge.
Waukee Starstruck 2007
It should be quite the competition that's for sure! I can't wait.
