36th RVHS Black Bear Marching Band Invitational held
Members of the Ridgewood Marching Band stand with the awards they won at the River View Marching Band Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 14. RHS was awarded first place, best auxiliary and best percussion in its class. Jen Jones | Beacon
COSHOCTON – A beautiful fall day was the perfect backdrop for the 36th annual River View Black Bear Marching Band Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 14. The stands of Don Rushing Stadium were full of friends and families of the 11 high school bands who competed for several awards. Almost 800 high school students performed during the event.
This event is an O.M.E.A (Ohio Music Education Association) Adjudicated event. Any marching band that receives a superior rating is eligible to compete in the state marching band competition. Seven of the bands that competed at the invitational received the needed superior rating – Kalida, Cambridge, Ridgewood, Revere, Olentangy Liberty, Hilliard Davidson and River View High schools.
There are nine judges at OMEA events, including two music, one percussion, one visual performance, one visual effects, two general effects and two auxiliary judges. The judges are located both on the field and in the press box. River View, as host band, couldn’t compete for awards.
Local bands performing included Coshocton High School with their program entitled “Beatlemania,” Ridgewood High School performing “Spin Art” and River View performing “Gravity.” Bladen Johnson (CHS), Garrett Trimmer (RHS), Kacia Eckelberry (RHS), Ryan Gildow (RV), Josie Fornara (RV), Raynor Showmaker (RV), Hallee Anderson (RV) and Olivia Evert (RV) were the local soloists.
In Class C, Kalida and Union Local High Schools tied for the best auxiliary award. Union Local won the best percussion award. The bands placed as follows: First – Kalida, second – Union Local, third – Coshocton, and fourth – Shenandoah.
In Class B, best auxiliary and percussion awards went to Ridgewood High School. They also placed first, with Cambridge as second and Indian Valley, third. There was only one band in Class A. Revere earned a first place, best percussion and best auxiliary.
Best auxiliary in Class AA went to Olentangy High School with best percussion going to Hilliard Davidson High School. Hilliard Davidson was awarded first place and Olentangy, second.
After each class was given awards, all of the bands’ scores were compared to find the winners of five more awards. Best overall auxiliary was awarded to Olentangy High School. Best overall percussion was earned by Hilliard Davidson. Best overall music was won by Hilliard Davidson, who also won the grand champion award. A unique award to River View is the most outstanding pit crew. This year, it was awarded in memory of Judy Parks and given to Kalida High School.
Category: Education
