'Westside Showcase' brings together Storm, Ram bands in one musical night

RIO RANCHO — The sweet music of a rivalry.

On Thursday night, the Rio Rancho and Cleveland regiment bands came together to perform the “Westside Showcase,” a night of musical performances put on by the two foes.

This is the second year of the City of Vision collaboration, with both schools putting on a special themed show in a friendly “battle of the bands.”

“Having a standalone showcase is very meaningful because it allows the community to come out and support the students who work so hard every day,” Rio Rancho High School communications manager Samantha Bott said.

This year, the Rams put on an “Inner Compass” themed show with lighter and brighter colors intertwined, while the Storm embraced the spooky nature of October by theming their show after the popular Netflix show “Stranger Things.”

Usually seen on the sidelines of their football teams, who are preparing to face off in two weeks on Halloween Eve, this event allows the bands to take center stage.

“Unlike a football game where the band is part of a larger event, a standalone showcase like this focuses solely on the bands and their talent,” Bott said.

A standalone showcase they deserve, as both schools house two of the top music programs in the state. Rio Rancho’s marching band took home the Class 5A state title last fall, with Cleveland following suit with a state championship for their concert band in the winter.

Talented programs with a cross-town rivalry. Surely there is some bad blood between the two, right?

Nope, the Westside Showcase is all about coming together and appreciating both bands as one city.

“It creates a ‘big band family’ atmosphere, where families from both Rio Rancho high schools can enjoy the performances together,” Bott said. “To watch both bands support each other is absolutely amazing. Hearing them cheer and clap for one another and have so much fun watching their ‘rival’ is the best.”

Fun aside, this event also serves as preparation for the State Marching Band competition, set for Saturday, Oct. 25, at Rio Rancho High School.

So next time you are at a football game or a sporting event, stop for a moment and take a note from the Doobie Brothers: “Listen to the Music.”