Setting a new school record, the Marion Band Program earned five coveted ASBOA Sweepstakes Awards Monday during the Region IV Concert Assessment held at West Memphis High School. The awards are presented by the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association.
During the assessment, bands are adjudicated by four judges for concert performance and sight-reading and are assigned rating from I (superior), II (excellent), III (Good), IV (Average) and V (poor). Marion was the only school in the region to earn five Sweepstakes Awards. Marion’s region includes most of the schools in east Arkansas, including Lonoke, Stuttgart, Searcy, Jonesboro, Marion, West Memphis, and more.
Marion ensembles earning the distinction included the following:
MJHS 8th Grade Symphonic Band
MJHS 8th Grade Concert Band
MHS Wind Symphony
MHS Symphonic Band
MHS Concert Band
All five bands also earned First Division ratings. The MHS Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will now compete at the State Concert Band Contest during week of April 15-16 at Jonesboro High School.
The strong showing at the Regional Concert Assessment is but the latest in what has been another exceptional year for the Marion Band program. Among the other accomplishments:
10 band members earned All-State honors
124 students in grades 8-12 earned spots in the All-Region Band
Senior Christopher Partain earned a position in the prestigious National Honor Band of America
Grand Champions at Mid-South Classic (Jonesboro)
Grand Champions at US Bands Ark-La-Miss Regional (Monroe, La.)
Second place at Eastern Shore Classic (Daphne, Ala.)
Straight Superior Ratings at ASBOA Regional Assessment (Paragould)
Fourth Place at Paragould McDonald’s Invitational (Paragould)
Second place at US Bands Southeastern Championship (Huntsville, Ala.)
Third place (Bronze Medal) at 6A State Marching Band Contest (Little Rock)
Largest marching band in school history, with 160 members in the competition band and 180 student musicians taking the field for halftime performances on Friday nights
The Marion Bands will be featured in concert on Tuesday, April 22, for MHS and Thursday, April 24, for MJHS. Both concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Marion Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.