Eighteen high school bands competed Oct. 7 at Emporia State University’s 18th annual ESU Marching Festival in Welch Stadium, an early-season event designed to give ensembles feedback before later competitions, esubulletin.com reported.
The festival, started 18 years ago by music professor Tracy Freeze, has evolved from a noncompetitive gathering into a balanced event with both festival and competitive elements. Bands competed in white, black and gold divisions and were judged on marching, music performance, colorguard, percussion, drum majors and general effect.
Field Kindley, Osage City and Burlington high schools placed first through third in the white division. Bishop Carroll Catholic, Pratt and Emporia high schools took the top three spots in the black division, where Freeze noted the scoring was especially tight. Goddard, Mill Valley and Free State high schools led the gold division, with Free State also earning the sweepstakes award as the highest-scoring band.
ESU music students supported the event by performing for the visiting high schoolers, meeting with bands, preparing the field and guiding ensembles. The Emporia State Marching Hornets presented their exhibition show before awards were announced. Freeze said the festival could not operate without the participation of the university’s band students. Proceeds fund the event itself, with any remaining money supporting the school’s athletic bands.
For more information, visit esubulletin.com.