Consistent Power, Superior Sound

How the Juicer Transformed the Michigan Band Circuit

 

For years, bands competing in the Michigan Competitive Band Association (MCBA) struggled with an impactful challenge—stadium power. Directors frequently dealt with unreliable outlets that either failed mid-performance or caused inconsistent sound output, making it difficult for bands to deliver their best shows. Eduardo Garcia, band director at Grandville High School, had found a solution. His program had been powering their PA system with McCormick’s Juicer for years, and unlike the stadium power sources, it never let them down.

Proven Performance on the Field and in Rehearsal

“We have been using a Juicer at Grandville HS for a number of years and have never had a problem with losing power,” says Garcia. “Oftentimes, when we plugged into a stadium power source, our sound output would be inconsistent. The Juicer eliminated that issue.” More than just a backup plan, the Juicer provided stable, uninterrupted power to all of Grandville’s electronic equipment, ensuring every note and sound effect was projected exactly as intended. Unlike traditional generators, which can be noisy and require fuel, the Juicer’s silent battery-powered system provided the necessary wattage without adding unnecessary distractions.

Recognizing the widespread need for a reliable power source, Garcia proposed bringing the Juicer to MCBA competitions. The issue of inconsistent stadium power had been a frequent topic of discussion among directors, and when Garcia shared his experience with the Juicer’s reliability, MCBA’s Executive Director Chuck Hodson saw an opportunity to improve the competition experience for all participating bands.

Positive Impact Across the Circuit

The Juicer quickly proved its worth. Throughout the competition season, MCBA events saw a consistent and stable power flow, eliminating the disruptions that had plagued bands in the past. “We didn’t have any issues with power during the entire competition season,” says Hodson. “The flow of power was completely consistent. It took care of many of the issues directors had previously faced.” With a commercial-grade pure sine wave inverter delivering steady, high-quality power, and a surge capacity capable of handling even the most demanding setups, the Juicer provided bands with confidence that their performances would go exactly as planned.

For Garcia, the benefits of the Juicer extend far beyond competition days. His program relies on it during band camp and long rehearsals, where maintaining power over hours of continuous use is just as crucial as it is during a high-stakes performance. Designed with deep-cycle AGM batteries that provide an eight-hour runtime or more on most field PA systems, the Juicer ensured that Grandville’s electronics ran smoothly from the first warm-up to the final run-through of the day.

As MCBA integrated the Juicer into their competitions, the response from band directors was overwhelmingly positive. According to Hodson, nearly 70 percent of directors immediately recognized the difference and were thrilled with the consistency it provided. Even the few who were initially skeptical soon saw its effectiveness in action. “Some questioned whether it was powerful enough, but Grandville hasn’t had a problem, and their performances require a lot of power,” he explains. The Juicer’s built-in safety features, including battery status monitoring, voltage regulation, and automatic shutoff protection, reassured directors that they could depend on it without the risk of unexpected failure.

The Future of Reliable Power in Marching Band

The success of the Juicer at MCBA competitions has been so significant that the association is now planning to purchase a third unit. Band directors who once worried about unreliable power now see the Juicer as an essential part of a well-run competition.

For Garcia, the decision to use the Juicer was never in question. “If you want consistent power and sound output without having to worry about blowing a breaker, you should use a Juicer all the time.”

As more programs and circuits adopt the Juicer, one thing is clear: McCormick’s has provided a game-changing solution, ensuring that every performance is powered with reliability, consistency, and excellence.