BATTLE OF THE BANDS; `THE VOICE' RETURNS TO CALL MUSICAL FIGHT.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

Ken Marquis graduated from Hart High School 16 years ago, and each year he returns to his alma mater, where he is known affectionately as ``the Voice.''

The San Francisco resident with a lifelong interest in broadcasting returns each year to serve as announcer for Hart's Rampage, a band competition.

``It's just a pleasure to be involved with and help young people express themselves musically,'' Marquis said. ``I have longtime memories of really good times. I want to help other young people get something out of it.''

Raised in the Santa Clarita Valley since he was 6, Marquis, now 34, spent six years in his junior high and high school bands.

The year after he graduated was the first year of the band competition and Marquis was asked by the band director to do the announcing.

``He knew my interest in broadcasting and my hobby in voice,'' Marquis said. ``I had the experience.''

Marquis was a child actor for a short time, with credits that include ``The Waltons'' and ``The Addams Family Reunion.''

But after two years, he left acting to return to his love of music and learning.

``I quit acting because I spent too much time at sets and away from school,'' he said. ``I wanted to spend more time in metal shop and band.''

Marquis acquired his interests in music at Placerita Junior High School, where he played the alto saxophone - an instrument he chose for a specific reason.

``I had to ride my bike,'' Marquis said. ``I didn't want to carry a trombone.''

In high school, he had a car and thus a heavier instrument - a larger sax.

Marquis joined the band as a freshman and was an assistant uniform captain. By his senior year, he was Hart's first student field director.

``I participated as much as I could,'' he said. ``I moved up in the ranks.''

Marquis, a producer of a live computer help show for a national cable television network show, spends about 15 hours before the annual Rampage preparing for the daylong event.

``I'll start gathering information about a month before the competition,'' Marquis said. ``I'll find out what they're playing and who their leaders are.''

Once Marquis has all the information, he practices some of tougher names to make sure he pronounces them correctly over the microphone.

Talking in between shows, during the two awards ceremonies and the three breaks, Marquis details the performances and discusses what's up next.

``I start talking at noon and I stop talking at quarter to 10,'' he said. ``I try to make the competition both entertaining and informative.''

Sunday he planned a review of the judges' decision-making process.

After leaving high school, Marquis spent two years at Pasadena College before going to San Francisco State University, where he graduated.

He has worked for NBC and MSNBC and now at ZDTV, where he produces the show ``TheScreenSavers.''

Marquis credits former Hart band teacher Larry Thornton who created the Rampage and first asked him to be the announcer.

``Over the years I've seen music programs dwindle and diminished,'' said Marquis. ``This is the one thing I can do to give back.''

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Verdugo Hills High's Marching Dons Regiment performs at Hart High's Rampage '99.

(2 -- color) Rio Mesa High's Spartan Marching Band and Color Guard opens Rampage '99.

(3 -- color) Saugus High's Laura Zager practices with her bandmates before their Rampage '99 set.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News