The West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH) is now accepting entries into the 2016 West Virginia Marching Band Invitational (WVMBI). An application should be completed by band directors and returned to the WVDCH no later than Sept. 16. The 5th annual Marching Band Invitational will take place Oct. 15 at Laidley Field in Charleston. This competition helps to promote the division’s VH1 Save The Music Foundation program, which provides free musical instruments to middle schools throughout our state. All West Virginia high school marching bands are encouraged to apply, and ensembles will be considered for acceptance into the competition upon completion of the application. The WVMBI will include competing bands organized within four classes, and classes will be based on band size. All bands will have 15 minutes of performing time. Awards will be given to schools for overall performance in music, marching, general effect, and overall best band within their respective classes. A grand champion, first runner-up and second runner-up will be awarded in each division. Also, awards will be presented to the top five bands regardless of class. The application for the WVMBI is available on the division’s website at http://www.wvculture.org/agency/WVMBI/. For more information about the competition, contact John Morrison, events coordinator, at 304-558-0220 or John.D.Morrison@wv.gov.
