Sunday’s Band Extravaganza showcased some of the best musical talent Iowa State has to offer but also hinted at some of the areas where instrumental music may be lacking at Iowa State.

The concert opened with the Symphonic Band playing Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Flourish” for Wind Band and Charles Ives’ “Variations on America,” in which band members sculpted a comical spin-off of “America the Beautiful.”

Jazz Ensemble I rose from the basement of Stephens Auditorium with director James Bovinette inspiring applause from the audience, a foreshadowing of what was deserved at the end of the performance.

Their first piece, “Andromeda,” by Jay Chattaway, held many surprises, including a phenomenal drum solo from Jason Laszczak, junior in music. His playing was not only rhythmically challenging but soul-felt as he skillfully dominated the piece. The solo even came complete with the Michael Jordan trademark tongue stick-out.

Time seemed to float away as they closed with the well known jazz piece by Freddie Green and Don Wols, “Until I Met You,” which was as delightful as warm apple cider tickling down your throat on a cold afternoon.

The Wind Ensemble, which boasts itself as representing the finest winds and percussionists at Iowa State, proved rightfully so. The ensemble’s delivery of “Fanfare for a New Era” by Jack Stamp was dynamic and fresh.

The next piece, a selection from “Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa” by Ira Hearshen, featured a fantastic oboe duet from Mary Thimmesch, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences, and Kelley Meyers, sophomore in animal ecology. Thimmesch and Meyers created a full and broad range of tone that could not have been more beautifully played.

Enter a flirty combination of Hollywood favorites direct from Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and the creepy, goose-bump-raising main melody from “Jaws.” This fear-inspiring tune quickly gave way to everything from runs of circus music to the familiar themes of “Dragnet” and “Get Smart.”

The highlight of the afternoon came from the unit that isn’t always given deserving credit — ISU’s Cyclone Marching Band’s drumline. The percussionists showed off not only supreme percussion skill but undying spirit and humor as well.

The marching band highlighted its fall football halftime shows with such pieces as “Old Time Rock and Roll,” the ISU Fight Song and “Born to Be Wild.”

Featured twirler Christina Devine, sophomore in early childhood education, was awe-inspiring as she showed supreme flexibility and concentration during the band’s playing of “Appalachian Spring.”

The color guard’s performance at times added to and took away from the music of the band. There seemed to be some confusion as whether to smile or to be straight-faced as they worked hard to stay together. Synchronization stayed just out of grasp as nervous looks and the clattering of flags on the ground littered the front of the stage. They did have energy, especially during the percussion features, but timing and execution were almost left out completely.

However poor the flag performance was, it could not take away from the energy the marching band sizzled with as they showed that school spirit and pride are something that the music department cherishes.

The ISU bands put on a fantastic performance Sunday afternoon with a strong, concrete foundation in all of their groups and ensembles. Even though some of the visual effects were not sharp, crisp or clean enough to accompany such great players, everyone’s hard work was definitely noticed.