About 40 Venice students are part of the Venice marching band. The Venice marching band participated in local competitions Saturday Dec. 9th at East Los Angeles College.



The past two years the Venice marching band won first place in local competitions at Granada Hills High School, and three years ago won third place in LA city competitions.



Venice had a marching band long before the 1970s. It was really big during the 70s and 80s, but for a few years during the 90s, it was cancelled.



Many of the band's best players graduated in June and the year started with many new members, “This year has been a growing year. They are pretty good, considering how new they are,” said band director Scott Burstein.



Mr. Burstein has been band director since 1998. He was a drum major in college, and always wanted to be involved in music. He also has his own band.



Every summer, he organizes a band camp. Students come to school every day for a week to learn basic skills, drills, and learn the fight songs. Fight songs are songs that are used to battle other bands. Most students who are in band stay through their senior year.



The band only exists during fall semester. They perform in half time shows at football games to get the football players and the audience pumped up.



At the Dec. 9th competitions they received honorable mention. Even though they didn’t place as well as they wanted several members said they still feel proud of the hard work they have done.



Consuelo Cisneros, a first year band member, said "I've become more disciplined in school and in my overall performance. Although band takes a lot of time and require dedication, I wouldn't imagine myself not being in band."



Brian Kirk, a fourth year band member, said about marching band " I love it. Best experience in high school.” As for competitions, he noted they were “kind of rushed, but we did our best."