Forty-three bands from around the state showcased their talents in the tenth annual West Virginia State Marching Band Invitational Championship at the University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field on Saturday, Oct. 23. Barboursville and Milton Middle School bands opened the event with the national anthem. A complete list of winners is included.
Cabell Midland High School won the Overall “Honor Band” Award and Old Gold Division Grand Champion, and Paden City 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.
Greenbrier East High School won second runner-up in the Overall Awards (Honor Band) category, and first place in the Class C Band Awards.
This year’s event also included a drumline competition, with Cabell Midland High School winning first prize.
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, International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) and the Higher Education Policy Commission. The State Marching Band Championship helps to promote, encourage and celebrate arts education throughout West Virginia.
For more information about the State Marching Band Championship, contact Andrea Nelson, public information specialist for the department, at (304) 558-0220 or Andrea.E.Nelson@wv.gov.
The winners of the State Marching Band Invitational Championship are as follows:
Overall Awards (Honor Band)
West Virginia State Honor Band: Cabell Midland High School
1st Runner-up: Hurricane High School
2nd Runner-up: Greenbrier East High School
Division Awards
Old Gold Division Grand Champion: Cabell Midland High School
Old Gold Division 1st Runner-Up: Hurricane High School
Old Gold Division 2nd Runner-Up: Greenbrier East High School
Class C Overall Awards
Percussion: Princeton High School
Color Guard: Greenbrier East High School
Drum Major: Greenbrier East High School
Soloist: Greenbrier East High School – saxophone
