E.B.F.H.S Marching Band Wins Championships!!
On Saturday, Oct. 15th, the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A at the Mid-Iowa Marching Band Championships in Ankeny for the 20th time in the last 22 years.
On Saturday, Oct. 15th, the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A at the Mid-Iowa Marching Band Championships in Ankeny for the 20th time in the last 22 years. In a dramatic turn of events EBF and West Marshall tied with an overall score of 64.9. The Music General Effect Judge’s score was used as the tiebreaker making Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont the class 2A champions as they outscored West Marshall by 1.2 points in that caption. West Marshall won both the Outstanding Drumline and Color Guard Trophies. Earlier in the day, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band competed at the State Marching Band Contest in Pella where they earned their 31st consecutive Division I rating with a score of 75.3.
The E.B.F.H.S. Band had an excellent season this year placing 1st in class 2A competition at four different contests. The band outscored over 30 other bands in all classes during the season.
On September 24th, the band placed first in class 2A at the Marching Dutch Invitational with a score of 66.4
outscoring a total of 10 other bands in overall competition. EBF also won the Outstanding Color Guard Award.
On October 1st, the Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont High School Marching Band placed 2nd in class 2A competition at the Urbandale Marching Invitational. EBF was 2 points behind the first place band from West Marshall. PCM won the Outstanding Color Guard award in 2A and West Marshall won the Outstanding Drumline Award. The E.B.F.H.S. Band outscored seven other bands including: Madrid, PCM, Des Moines Christian, Ogden, Perry, North Polk, and Clarke.
The Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Marching Band had a very exciting day on October 8th as the band placed 1st in the Valleyfest and Showdown Competitions in West Des Moines. EBF won the Valleyfest 2A competition with a score of 60.7. Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont also won the Outstanding Hornline, Marching and Maneuvering, and Soloist of the Day Awards. Maggie Voyles was chosen as the Outstanding Soloist of the Day in class 2A for her mellophone solos. Maggie Voyles was also selected as the Outstanding Marcher in the EBF Marching Band.
In the evening contest, the “Showdown” of bands, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band placed 1st in class C with a score of 53.4 This is the 22nd consecutive year that the band has placed 1st at the “Showdown” Contest. The band also won the Outstanding Hornline, Color Guard, and Soloist trophies. Delanee Van Zante was honored with the Outstanding Soloist of the Day Award for her alto sax solos.
The E.B.F.H.S. Band has 73 members this year. The band is directed by Joe Overton, assistant director Dezirae Fairchild, and color guard instructor Paige Ver Steegh. The field commanders are Claire Jager and Grace Manternach. The soloists for this year’s show are Claire Jager, Teri Jo Lane, Katy Fisher, Maggie Voyles, Hannah Koellner, Delanee Van Zante, Briana Ver Steegh, and Adlynn Eveland. The band was also fortunate to have student teacher Jenny Braundmeier helping students with music and marching this fall.
Director Joe Overton was overheard making these comments: This has been a truly exciting marching band season. The band worked very very hard and represented our school and communities very well. They have so much heart and pride and that is what makes it fun!! Thank you chaperones, bus drivers, music boosters, parents, friends, family, custodians, teachers, and administrators for all of your support!!
