Song: Christmas Spectacular Medley
Bio: The Waterford Kettering High School Marching Captains were founded in 1962 and have a history and tradition of quality bands. Our motto is: "Praestantia est nostrum institutum," or Excellence is our tradition. Past performances include numerous invitations to Walt Disney World Florida, annual invitations to perform in the Monster Midway Invasion Parade at Cedar Point's Halloweekends, and several performances at the America's Thanksgiving Parade, as well as performances in Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, New York, Tennessee, Mackinaw City, and for the State Capitol in Lansing.
The band was invited to perform for a visit by sitting President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on two separate occasions in 2004.
Kettering has three concert bands classes at school, two jazz bands, and an extra-curricular volunteer marching band that rehearses about nine hours a week.
The WK Bands are active in MSBOA festivals for marching, concert, and jazz bands, and have a record of continual Division One ratings, over two decades.
The WK Bands recently commissioned a work to honor the life of one of its former members, Jasmine Gosselin, who lost her battle with leukemia. The piece was written by composer Randall Standridge of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and is titled "Companion of My Voice" for concert band. It is available internationally from publisher Grand Mesa Music.
The Kettering Bands have been the starting point for many teachers and musicians who are active today in the field of music. Most notable amongst these is professional jazz clarinetist, Dave Bennett, who began performing at age 14 on the professional stage and has now performed all over the world. He is known for bringing back the classic sound of Benny Goodman.