In dramatic fashion, the Marion Patriot Pride Band was crowned the Grand Champion of the inaugural Devil Dog Classic hosted by the Morrilton High School Band on Saturday.
The Marion band earned First Divisions in color guard, percussion, and overall band performance. Marion also earned First Place in Class in the same captions, besting the Russellville High School band. Marion and Green County Tech were the only bands earning the coveted First Division ranking. With the highest score of the 24 performing bands, Marion earned the Grand Champion Award.
"Our students and parents really got everyone's attention in Morrilton on Saturday," said Marion Director of Bands Monty Hill. "The level of parent support that we have is astonishing."
Next up for the Patriot Pride Marching Band will be a trip to Simmons Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis on Saturday (Oct. 11) to compete in the Bands of America Memphis Regional Championship. The competition will feature 21 bands from five states, making this the most prestigious marching contest the Marion band has ever attended. Performance time for Marion is 1:45 p.m. For more on the event, including ticket, venue, and livestream information, click here: Bands of America.
This year’s competition show is titled “Metagalactic.” The production features music from “Star Trek,” Disney’s “Space Mountain” ride, “Mars Attacks,” and “Moon Dance.” Visually, the show features vivid retro-futuristic colors evoking the golden age of science fiction -- when bold space explorers and dazzling aliens lit up the screen in adventures from galaxies far, far away.
In addition to performances at Patriot home football games throughout the fall, the band’s full upcoming competition schedule is as follows:
October 11 – Bands of America Regional – The Liberty Bowl – Memphis
October 18 – The West Memphis Classic – West Memphis, Ark.
October 21 – The Regional Concert Assessment – Cabot, Ark.
October 25 – The Eastern Shore Classic – Daphne, Ala.
November 1 – The Bandmasters Championship -- The Liberty Bowl – Memphis
November 3-6 – Arkansas State Band Contest – War Memorial Stadium – Little Rock
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.