ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Franklin High School neighbors got a daylong dose of school band music when the Franklin Invitational Band Review filled the campus on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Schools from across the region brought their best steps and intonation for the marching, drum and field competitions. 

Parking lots filled with buses, equipment trailers, pop-up shade, uniform racks, water bottles and barbecue grilles, much like a football tailgate party.

Sections of bands warmed up and rehearsed, and entire ensembles took to the Franklin field to practice their halftime music for the evening field competitions.

Meanwhile, band boosters and friends filled the bleachers in the Franklin High gym for 10 concert band performances. Two judges recorded real-time oral commentary while following the printed musical scores and watching the young middle school and high school ensembles. 

Outside the gym, marching bands warmed up and lined up for the parade competition. 

The Toby Johnson Jaguars band stepped off first at 11 a.m. for the parade down Franklin High Road south of campus and past a reviewing stand with more judges. 

Critiques focused on music, showmanship and marching, and scoring also covered drum majors, color guard and percussion. Dozens of bands later, the host, Franklin High Wildcats marching band, closed out the parade at 2:30.

The evening brought formation competitions on the football field at Cosumnes Oaks High School. Judges ranked the bands on music, general effect, visual performance and color guard. 

This was the 14th year for the band festival, sponsored by the Northern California Band Association and hosted by Franklin High School, which raises funds for its band program from entry fees for the competition. See full scoring results at ncbaonline.net.