EL CAJON, Calif. — You may not think marching band music and heavy metal played by Metallica have much in common but don't tell that to Valhalla High School.
In this Zevely Zone, I headed to El Cajon for the results of the first-ever Metallica Marching Band Competition. That's where Valhalla Vanguard, the school's award-winning marching band, was a finalist in the Metallica Marching Band competition. Valhalla High entered the national Metallica band contest and became the last California band standing.
When you play music that sounds menacing and mean, you catch the attention of Metallica. James, Lars, Kirk, and Rob set the standard for metal music. "I've been in the marching band since I was in 8th grade and nothing like this has ever happened," said Valhalla student Berkeley Lai. Drum Major Tyler Lemieux added, "I love their music so when I heard they were interested in us it was this crazy thing just super exciting."
The first ever Metallica Marching Band Competition could have scared off a first-year band director but not Valhalla's Abel Maldonado. "We really didn't think we had a chance of making it, but we just said let's see what we can do, and we ended up making it to the finals," said Mr. Maldonado.
Metallica received submissions from over 450 colleges and high schools. Bands of all levels paid tribute to nine-time Grammy winner. Auburn University took home the top prize of $75,000 dollars by wowing the crowd with an illuminated electric guitar and there was Valhalla representing San Diego County.
As a finalist, the actual members of Metallica judged the music themselves.
Over the years, Valhalla has earned a reputation for taking risks and winning. "All of those trophies, we have a pretty big history," said Tyler.
When the results were released, Oakton High in Virginia won 15-thousand dollars in the small high school division. Valhalla was disappointed, but band members still called the competition the high note of their year. "Such a cool thing to be a part of, we were happy to be in it let alone be a finalist," said Tyler.
After all, there's always next year. How do you top Metallica? "I don't know, we are going to start talking about it and see what we can do," said Mr. Maldonado. For now, they're basking in the glow of the national spotlight, and 'nothing else matters'.
The top finishers will use the prize money to purchase instruments and equipment for the music programs. For more information about the contest, click here.