E.B.H.S Marching Band Wins Championships!!
E.B.H.S Marching Band
On Saturday, Oct. 16th, the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A at the Mid-Iowa Marching Band Championships in Ankeny for the 14th time in 16 years. The band was also presented with the Outstanding Drumline Trophy. In addition to winning class 2A, EB outscored 6 of the 3A bands at the contest. Earlier in the day, the E.B.H.S. Marching Band competed at the State Marching Band Contest in Pella where they earned their 25th consecutive Division I rating with a score of 93.5.
The E.B.H.S. Band had a perfect season this year placing 1st at six different contests. The band outscored 42 other bands in all classes during the season. On Saturday September 25th, the band had a great day in Cedar Rapids and Pella as they outscored a total of 16 other bands in two marching band competitions. In the afternoon, the band competed at the Linn-Mar Marching Band Contest and placed 1st in class 2A with a score of 74.2. The band also placed 1st at the Marching Dutch Invitational with a score of 70.5.
E.B.H.S Marching Band
At the Linn-Mar Festival, the E.B.H.S. Band outscored the bands from Sumner-Fredricksburg, David County, Clear Creek Amana, Marion, Oskaloosa, Western Dubuque, Williamsburg, Mt. Pleasant, Solon, Norwalk, Bettendorf, Xavier, and Clinton. E/B placed 4th in overall competition.
That evening, the EBHS Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A at the first annual Marching Dutch Invitational Contest in Pella. EB also won the Outstanding Drumlne and Color Guard Awards in class 2A.
On Saturday, Oct.2nd, the Eddyville / Blakesburg High School Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A competition at the Urbandale Marching Invitational. This is the first year that the band has competed in the Urbandale contest. After winning the Davis County Marching Band Contest for 21 years in a row, director Joe Overton thought it was time for a change. In addition to placing first, the band also received the Outstanding Drumline trophy. The E.B.H.S. Band outscored thirteen other bands including: Lenox, Des Moines Christian, West Marshall, Prairie City – Monroe, Ogden, North Polk, Carlisle, Bondurant-Farrar, Clarke, Indianola, Des Moines Lincoln, and Marshalltown.
E.B.H.S Marching Band
On October 9th, the Eddyville / Blakesburg Marching Band had an excellent day as the band placed 1st in the Valleyfest and Showdown Competitions, outscoring their rivals, the North Polk Marching Band. E/B won the Valleyfest 2A competition with a score of 61.8, seven points ahead of North Polk. Eddyville / Blakesburg also won the Outstanding Color Guard, Marching and Maneuvering, Hornline, Drumline, and Soloist of the Day Awards. Brooke Lunsford was chosen as the Outstanding Soloist in class 2A. E/B outscored several bands at the Valleyfest contest including Des Moines Christian, Tri Center, North Polk, Bondurant Farrar, Adel DeSoto Minburn, Knoxville, Dallas Center-Grimes, Creston, Clarke, Des Moines East, and Council Bluffs Lewis Central. The judges selected Nathaniel Harris as the best marcher in the band.
E.B.H.S Marching Band
In the evening contest, the “Showdown” of bands, the E.B.H.S. Marching Band placed 1st in class C with a score of 60.8 three points ahead of North Polk. This is the 16th consecutive year that the band has placed 1st at the “Showdown” Contest. The band also won the Outstanding Drum Major, Drumline, Marching, Hornline, and Soloist trophies. The judges one again selected Brooke Lunsford as the Outstanding Soloist in class C for her amazing performance.
The E.B.H.S. Band has 81 members this year. The band is directed by Joe Overton, Dezirae Russell, and color guard instructor Amanda Vroegh. The field commanders are Kelly Lane and Megan Street. Color Guard Captains are Brandy Faybik and Sarah Shaw. The Drumline Section Leaders are Paige Francis, Rachel Welch, Beth Ross, and Andrew Huff.
Director Joe Overton had these comments on the season: “Everywhere we went people loved our show. The students tried to improve their performance every week and I believe they succeeded. I am so proud of everyone associated with the band. This has been a wonderful marching band season. We have created memories that will last a life time.”
Joe Overton
