The Rockford High School marching band captured first place in Flight I competition at the Jenison Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 23 with a score of 85.31 and swept top honors for music, marching and general effect.
Brian Phillips, Rockford marching band director, commented, “The students are truly working hard and pulling together an exciting show. Every week, we’ve been able to add more to an already complex presentation.”
The grand champion honor for the evening was awarded to Reeths-Puffer, who posted a score of 87.02 in Flight II performance. Other top winners included Stevensville Lakeshore with 79.39 in Flight III, and Newaygo with 74.17 in Flight IV.
Schools are ranked by MCBA in one of four flights according to school enrollment figures the previous spring. In order to qualify for state finals at Ford Field on November 6, bands must compete in at least two MCBA-sanctioned contests and place among the 11 highest scoring bands in its flight. Rockford has made the state finals every year since joining the association.
Under MCBA contest rules, bands are judged by seven adjudicators in four general areas: music performance, visual performance, general music effect, and general visual effect. Under both music and visual performances, the band is rated on individual and ensemble performances and involves judges both on and off the field during the performance.
Rockford’s band has one remaining MCBA event—the Reeths-Puffer West Shore Invitational on October 30, which was held in the Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium at Rockford High School—before the state championship at Ford Field.
For more information visit www.rockfordbands.org.
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