Perhaps the most tightly-packed season of all interscholastic activities is that for marching band contests. It's roughly covers a month and a half, but there are enough events within that timeframe to fill a year's schedule! A few contests were last weekend, but in Arkansas, it all kicks off tomorrow!
Key marching contests for your consideration:
October 6
Cabot Invitational
Hillbilly Invitational
October 13
PIAA Showcase of Bands, WMS (?)
Dale Bumpers Invitational, Charleston
October 20
McDonald's Invitational, Paragould
Ouachita Valley Invitational, Camden Fairview
October 16, 22-23
ASBOA Regional Assessments
October 27
Arkansas Open, Pocahontas
NWA Invitational, Siloam Springs
November 3
Championship at the Rock
A full calendar can be found Here. (http://www.asboa.org/Calendar/2012-2013%20Calendar.pdf)
Muldrow, OK won the Hillbilly Invitational last week. Charleston, the runner-up, scored highest among in-state bands.
Today, the Dale Bumpers Invitational has provided a small means for Ozark and Paris to rekindle their rivalry--the Hillbillies and Eagles went 1-2, respectively, at Alumni Field today, beating out larger and more prominent programs like Greenwood, Dardanelle, and Rogers Heritage.
My son plays trumpet in a small band. the season is so crazy. Basically every saturday, somes days through the week plus your friday nights at the ballgames are booked up. i am ususally one tired band parent after the weekend.
But I wouldnt have it any other way, absolutely love going to the competitions.
I second that!
I know how many folks loathe going across the state for a HS game, but that has always been one of my favorite parts of the season.