Top ratings for Sahuaro, Rincon/UHS at Band Day

Two Tucson high school marching bands earned superior ratings in the Arizona Band Day competition on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.

The Rincon/University High School and Sahuaro High School bands were among the nine from around the state to earn the rating.

"This is the first time that the band has been awarded a superior rating since University High School joined Rincon campus" about 20 years ago, said Carla Pothier, president of the Rincon/University Marching Band Association.

"A tremendous amount of hard work went into making this honor a reality."

But their work is not yet done.

"Our band members will have little time to rest for the duration of the school year," Pothier said. "They are now in high gear to hone their skills and prepare to perform at Carnegie Hall this spring."

More than 110 band members will travel to New York for an April 20 performance , said Brian Wolfe, director of bands for Rincon and University high schools.

The cost of the trip is about $1,800 per band member, of which students already have raised $900 each, he said.

Hard work also paid off for the Sahuaro High School marching band.

"We are so proud of the band," said Trista Eikenberry, mother of a band member. "They worked so hard and they learned from this experience that hard work pays off."

Ryan Sunderman, 17, and his brother Tyler, 15, both members of the Sahuaro band, were elated with the superior rating.

"All the hard work paid off. It was an amazing way to end my high school band career," said Ryan, the band's drum captain, who will graduate in May.

To Tyler the success also means closer bonds with band members.

"It's like a big family and when we succeed, it makes everyone feel good about the hard work it took to get here," he said.

Band Day is a Tucson tradition that attracts participants from around the state and on occasion from other parts of the country.

It was developed in 1952 by Jack Lee, who penned "Bear Down, Arizona." Lee was the University of Arizona's band director for 30 years.

The event is the culmination of weeks of rehearsals, marching during halftime shows at football games, fundraisers and late nights of practice and homework.

This year's exhibition consisted of 38 high school bands from Arizona and New Mexico.