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 sold-out 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 finished 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 once-in-a-lifetime experience this weekend and not only performed well, but made memories they will always cherish.”
Order of finish:
Ocean Springs
Marion
Harrison Central
Fairhope
Robertsdale
Baker
Elberta
Saraland
West Florida
Satsuma
Faith Academy
Gulf Shores
Spanish Fort
Davidson
Murphy
Mobile Christian
George County
Escambia
Mary Montgomery
Theodore
Baldwin County
Walton
St. Michael’s
Millry
Citronelle
St. Paul’s
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 – US Bands Southeast Championship, Huntsville, Ala.
This fall, Marion is fielding its largest band in school history, with 160 members in its competition band and 180 student musicians taking the field 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 School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.