LEXINGTON — Bands throughout the area will put their skills to the test during the 43rd annual Festival of Champions, an Ohio Music Education Association sanctioned marching band competition, scheduled for Oct. 8 at Lexington High School.
One of the longest running competition shows in the state, the Festival of Champions will feature bands from Shenandoah, Van Buren, Berne Union, Licking Heights, Firestone, Groveport Madison, Thomas Worthington, Reynoldsburg high schools, along with the Lexington Band of Gold.
Each band is allowed a 15-minute time slot. Shows must be a minimum of seven minutes and are not to exceed 11 minutes.
Zak Wilkins, director of bands at Lexington High School, said the show is a great way to see some of the best competition bands in the state.
“If you’re a novice to marching band, particularly marching band competitions, it’s an interesting way to get started,” he said. “Each band presents a show that centers around a certain theme, and it’s interesting to see how these shows are presented.”
Judges will consider a variety of criteria: two judges will focus strictly on music, one judge for percussion, one judge for visual effect, one for visual performance, two judges for general effect (an overall viewpoint of the show), and two judging the auxiliary or color guards of each band.
Trophies that will be awarded at this year’s show include grand champion (highest overall score), reserve grand champion (second place overall), best music/percussion/visual/general effect/auxiliary (highest score in each category regardless of classification), best in class auxiliary/percussion and placement awards in each class (first place, second place, and so on).
The event will also feature the famous pie tent. Operated by parent volunteers, the pie tent sells “massive” slices of various pie flavors, Wilkins said.
“It’s one of the things that makes our show unique,” he said.
Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors are free. Event proceeds benefit the Lexington Music Boosters.
“As far as fundraisers go, this is probably the largest one the Lexington Music Boosters operate, and generates quite a bit of money for our organization,” Wilkins said. “Our kids and parent/community volunteers put in a lot of work representing our community and school district and take pride in the community attending.”
Unlike years past, the show will begin in the morning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Lexington High School.
