CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Saturday, Oct. 19, 26 marching bands from across the state will gather in Charleston for the second annual West Virginia Marching Band Invitational.
The West Virginia Marching Band Invitational is sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH) in participation with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, the Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Department of Education and The Arts. The Marching Band Invitational helps to promote, encourage and celebrate arts education throughout West Virginia.
“This Marching Band Invitational gives our West Virginia high school bands an opportunity to savor the spotlight completely,” said WVDCH Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith. “It gives everyone who loves the band a chance to get a full day of music, high stepping performances and pride in the talents of our young musicians.”
The competition begins at 10 a.m. at the University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field and will continue throughout the day.
Bands will be judged on general effect, marching and maneuvering, music, music effect, percussion, drum major, color guard, majorettes and feature twirler.
Tickets are $7 for adults and children 12 years of age and older; $5 for children under 12 years of age. Programs will be sold for $4. Harman School’s band will play at 10:45 a.m.