TAHS Marching Band takes first place in Group III
The Bellwood-Antis Marching Band hosted a successful sixth annual ‘Blue Devil Marching Extravaganza’ band competition this past Saturday at Bellwood Memorial Stadium.
There were ten bands presenting their hard work and ability from Chapter 11, including Juniata Valley who began the extravaganza in exhibition and Bellwood-Antis who completed the evening’s competition with another exhibition performance.
The bands that competed in the three separate groups included: Group I: Lewistown, Conemaugh Township, and Central. Group II: Elk County Catholic, Huntingdon, and Windber. Group III: Dubois and Tyrone.
BAHS Band Director, Greg Roberts, said that the competition was a complete success. “I am always very proud to bring other bands from central Pennsylvania into Bellwood. We have excellent facilities to host such a large scaled event,” said Roberts.
Awards were handed out to the top bands in each group, along with specialty awards. Group I was headed by the Central High School Marching Band with a score of 81.95, with Conemaugh Township in second at 73.25. Group II final placement went to Windber Marching Band with a score of 80.7, followed by Huntingdon with a score of 73.05.
First place for Group III was awarded to the Tyrone Marching Band with a score of 75.25, followed by Dubois at 72.55.
Specialty awards were given in each of the respected groups for drum major, percussion and auxiliary.
Group I drum major award went to the Central Marching Band (15.7). The percussion award went to Conemaugh Township (13.9). Auxiliary was awarded to the Central (16.5).
Group II drum major award went to the Windber Marching Band (15.6). Percussion award was won by Huntingdon (14.8). The auxiliary award went to Windber (17.2).
Group III drum major and auxiliary awards went to the Tyrone Marching Band with scores of 15.5 and 16.3. Percussion was awarded to the Dubois Marching Band (13.9).
The TAHS Marching Band took first place honors over Dubois High School Band in Group III competition Saturday night. Tyrone also brought home specialty awards for high music and high marching.
Tyrone’s score fell slightly from week one at Bellefonte from 75.35 to a 75.25. TAHS Band Director, Kris Laird said, “The individual performance improved drastically.”
“We just need to tighten up the ensemble’s overall performance,” said Laird. “This year’s band is such a hard working group of students and is really out to succeed this year.”
The Bellwood-Antis Marching Band was successful both in performance and as a gracious host. Roberts noted, “I’d like to thank all the volunteers, the Bellwood-Antis administration and school board, and especially the Bellwood-Antis Band Parents Association for the support that helped to make our annual competition a success.”
He added, “I would also like to thank the local neighbors for their patience on Saturday. When you block off several streets and you have drum lines and brass lines warming up in your back yard, it could be a bit of shock from their normal Saturday evening.”
The Bellwood-Antis Marching Band travels this weekend to Sunbury to compete at the Shikellamy High School competition. Marching Shows remaining on their schedule are Pocono Mountain on October 5, Conemaugh Township October 12, Williamsport October 19, Tyrone and Huntingdon on October 26, Chapter XI Championships at I.U.P. on November 2, and Atlantic Coast Championships in Scranton on November 10.
Tyrone heads to Dubois this Saturday and will be home for the Pius X football game on October 5.
