Cabell Midland wins Governor’s Cup Series
Thirty-three bands from around the state showcased their talents in the 12th annual West Virginia State Marching Band Invitational Championship at Philip Barbour High School in Philippi on Saturday, Oct. 21. West Virginia Wesleyan College performed as an exhibition band during the competition. A complete list of winners is included.
Cabell Midland High School won the Overall “Honor Band” Award and Old Gold Division Grand Champion, and Hurricane High School won the Blue Division Grand Champion award. Bands were judged on general effect, marching and maneuvering, music, music effect, percussion, drum major, color guard, majorettes and feature twirler.
Cabell Midland took home the 2023 Governor’s Cup Marching Band Series Championship trophy with a first-place finish in the overall standings. The Governor’s Cup consisted of nine local competitions, along with the Marching Band Invitational finals. Points were awarded at each competition and then the winner was determined by the band who received the most points throughout the series.
This year’s event also included a drumline competition, with Elkins High School winning first prize.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) also inducted two individuals into the State Marching Band Directors Hall of Fame. Honorees include Dr. Scott Woodard, currently the director of instrumental music, interim associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs at West Virginia State University, and the associate conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Charleston Chamber Orchestra; and Deborah Westbrook, a teacher for Preston County Schools for 40 years and the head band director at Preston High School beginning in 1995, where she held that position until her retirement in June 2023. The inductees were selected from a list of nominations submitted to the WVDACH.
The West Virginia State Marching Band Invitational Championship was sponsored by the WVDACH in participation with the Save The Music Foundation, Conn-Selmer Division of Education, the West Virginia Department of Education and the Higher Education Policy Commission. The State Marching Band Championship helps to promote, encourage and celebrate arts education throughout West Virginia.
Area winners include:
Class B Band Awards
2nd Place: Greenbrier East High School
Class B Best Overall Awards
Color Guard:
1st Place: Greenbrier East High School
Drum Major:
2nd Place: Greenbrier East High School
Class C2 Best Overall Awards
Color Guard:
1st Place: James Monroe High School
Class D1 Band Awards
3rd Place: Greenbrier West High School
Class D1 Best Overall Awards
Percussion:
1st Place: Greenbrier West High School
Drums Competition
4th Runner-Up: Greenbrier East High School
7th Runner-Up: James Monroe High School
Best Overall Dance Team
James Monroe High School
