Marion band shines at prestigious Gulf Coast competition

Patriot Pride competes with units from Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama

By ANDY WELD

MSD Communications

The Marion Patriot Pride Marching Band made a historic trip to the Eastern Shore Classic Saturday in Daphne, Ala., competing with 25 bands from Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Performing in front of six thousand people in a soldout stadium, Marion earned straight First Division Ratings in Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, General Effect, Music, and Visual Performance. Marion also earned Best in Class for Woodwinds and Color Guard and scored a program- best score of 94.8, earning second place out of 25 bands.

Only perennial Mississippi powerhouse Ocean Springs High School _nished with a higher rating, scoring a 95, only .2 points above Marion.

“Our students and parents showed the Gulf Coast what it means to be a Marion Patriot today,” said Marion Director of Bands Monty Hill. “Our students had a oncein- a-lifetime experience this weekend and not only performed well, but made memories they will always cherish.”

Top 5 order of finish

■ Ocean Springs

■ Marion

■ Harrison Central

■ Fair Hope

■ Robertsdale Saturday’s showing marked the latest in what has been a strong competitive season for the Marion band. Marion previously won championships at both the Mid-South Classic in Jonesboro and the US Bands Ark-La-Miss Regional in Monroe, Louisiana.

Next up for the band is the ASBOA Regional Assessment today (Oct. 21) in Paragould. The band’s complete upcoming schedule is as follows:

■ October 21 – ASBOA Region Assessment, Paragould

■ October 25 – Home football game vs. Sheridan

■ October 26 – McDonald’s Marching Invitational, Paragould

■ November 6 – ASBOA State Marching Contest

■ November 8 – Home

football game vs. Benton

■ November 9 – U.S. Bands Southeast Championship, Huntsville, Ala.

This fall, Marion is _elding its largest band in school history, with 160 members in its competition band and 180 student musicians taking the _eld for halftime performances on Friday nights. The theme for this year’s competition show is “Riveting.” The show pays homage to “Rosie the Riveter” and all of the women who supplied America’s war effort during World War II.

The Marion Patriot Pride Marching Band was once again standing tall after an outstanding showing in another marching competition this past weekend.