The Marion Patriot Pride Marching Band will open its 2023 Marching Competition season on Saturday as they attempt to defend their 2022 Grand Championship at the 18th Annual Mid-South Classic held at Jonesboro High School. The Marion band will perform last out of 19 bands at 7:50 p.m.
Saturday’s competition will kick off a busy month of October for the band, according to Director of Bands Monty Hill. On Saturday, October 14, the group will travel to Dyer, Tenn., to compete with 16 bands from four states in prelim/finals format competition. Marion performs at 3:30 p.m. in the preliminary round of competition.
Then, just two days later, the Marion Band will travel to Paragould to compete in the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association Region Marching Assessment. Marion will be attempting to earn a 4th straight 1st division rating and qualify yet again for the ASBOA State Marching Contest. That contest will be held on Wednesday, November 1 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
In preparation for State Band Contest, Marion will complete its schedule at two more invitationals which include the Paragould McDonald's Marching Invitational on Saturday, October 21, and the A-State Open on Saturday, October 28. Marion was crowned Grand Champion of the A-State Open in 2022 for the first time since 2005.
As always, you can also check out the Patriot Pride Marching Band at all Marion home football games. Remaining home games include October 6 against Searcy, October 20 against Sheridan, and November 3 against Little Rock Catholic. Pre-game and halftime performances are planned for all games. The Marion band will also be performing during the Marion road game at West Memphis on October 13.
The band’s full schedule is as follows:
- Friday, October 6 – Home football game (vs. Searcy)
- Saturday, October 7 – Mid-South Classic, Jonesboro
- Friday, October 13 – Road football game (at West Memphis)
- Saturday, October 14 – Gibson County Marching Invitational, Dyer, Tenn.
- Monday, October 16 – ASBOA Region Marching Assessment, Paragould
- Friday, October 20 – Home football game (vs. Sheridan)
- Saturday, October 21 – McDonald’s Marching Invitational, Paragould
- Saturday, October 28 – A-State Open, Jonesboro
- Wednesday, November 1 – ASBOA State Marching Contest, Little Rock
- Friday, November 3 – Home football game (vs. LR Catholic)
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district committed to helping every student find their unique path to success in school and in life. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade school, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.