East Region Preview 10/15
In the East region of marching band country, numerous contests are being held this weekend. GEM looks to highlight some of these shows as bands ramp up their shows to completion. These shows are essential to support the arts programs in the districts and allow smaller schools to showcase their productions. We hope you can attend one of these contests to support these kids and the community.
Beginning in Virginia, you have the Loudoun Invitational, featuring 27 bands from across the state! Starting off the contest is the 2021 Group 1 State Championship runner-up Woodgrove (VA). You also have the chance to see Dominion (VA) perform in exhibition if you get here early enough. This show also features Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA), which recently made the Bands of America Newark Finals last week! Other great bands to try to watch are Fairfax (VA) and Rock Ridge (VA). If you cannot make it to this show, perhaps you can make it to another big in-state contest. This one is the Virginia Marching Band Coalition Tidewater Regional. Again, you can watch bands from multiple states, including Clayton (NC) and Parkside (MD). You'll also have the chance to see Princess Anne (VA), who was last year's Group 2 VMBC State Champion, champion and then went on to place 2nd in the joint Finals later that night! Finally, Hickory (VA) will close the night, always bringing an entertaining show to the field. You'll find more information on these and other shows on the VMBC website.
Moving to Pennsylvania, you will have a massive showdown at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association-sponsored show hosted by Gateway (PA). This contest will start with a head-to-head contest between Kiski Area (PA) and Norwin (PA), currently GEM's #1 and #2 bands in the East Region. Kiski Area is coming off a championship performance at BOA Newark last week, and Norwin is last year's BOA Grand National Class 2A Champion. But these aren't the only bands to watch as Mars Area (PA), Moon Area (PA), and the host Gateway will be performing too. Check out the PIMBA website for more information about them, results, and other contests they host.
Farther north in New York, you've got the Silks and Sounds of Autumn contest hosted by Liverpool (NY). Two regionally ranked groups will try to outperform each other as Baldwinsville (NY), and West Genesee (NY) take the field. They are currently ranked #5 and #11, respectively. Looking to spoil a win for either of them includes the very talented Cicero-North Syracuse (NY), who was the New York State Field Band Conference National Class State Runner-up last year, outpacing both of these groups by the end of the season. But the exciting showdowns do not end there as the Small School 2 Class schools of Phoenix (NY) and Westmoreland (NY) are set to throw down as they were the Class Champion and Class Runner-up, respectively, at State Finals last year. This show begins at 6:00 PM ET, but you'll want to get there early as I expect those stands will fill up quickly to cheer these groups on.
Elsewhere in New York will be the Music in Motion invitational hosted by Victor (NY). This contest also has a previous NYSFB State Champion as Medina (NY) takes the field looking to defend their title from last year in Class Small School 1. Taking them on will be a fellow finalist in class, East Irondequoit (NY). If that wasn't enough, Webster (NY) will also be attending, and they are the reigning 2021 Large School 2 NYSFB State Champion. Their competition will come from fellow class state finalist Orchard Park (NY). The hits keep coming as the 2021 Large School 3 NYSFB State Championship Runner-up and 4th place finisher will go back-to-back in Greece (NY) and Hilton (NY). And as a cherry on top, the Small School 3 NYSFB State Champion Marcus Whitman (NY) will be in this star-studded contest. Please visit NYSFBC for even more information and to check on future contests!
There are so many more contests, and we encourage everyone to go out to these shows or perhaps one that is even closer to you. There are more than you can count on your fingers and toes. Some are big. Some are small. But all are important to the students as they make memories that will last a lifetime.