The Marion Patriot Pride Marching Band was named Reserve Grand Champion at the Eastern Shore Classic in Daphne, Ala., on Saturday, posting a season-high score of 96.01 in competition against 15 bands from Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. Marion finished just 0.7 points behind Grand Champion Ocean Springs.
Marion earned first division ratings in Music, Visual, and General Effect. The band placed second overall in Music, Visual, General Effect, and Percussion, and the Color Guard placed third overall. Soloists Patrick Rath and Keivon Robinson were named Best Overall Soloists.
“Competing against bands from three states and coming home with a season-best score says a lot about where these students are right now,” said Kristen Shepherd, Marion Director of Bands. “They showed up ready to perform, and we’re proud of the way they represented Marion. We’ll carry this momentum into the final stretch of the season.”
On Oct. 20, the band earned straight first division ratings at the Regional Marching Contest in Cabot, securing a spot at the 6A State Marching Contest for a school-record seventh straight year.
Marion will end its marching season Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the 6A State Marching Contest at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Local fans can also catch the band at the Patriots’ final home game Nov. 6 against Benton.
This year’s production, “La Vie en Rose,” features a heavy emphasis on the visual and musical symbolism of roses and the color red. Songs in the show include “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal, “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf, “A Time for Us” (from “Romeo and Juliet”), “The Red Machine” by Peter Graham, “Red Cape Tango” by Michael Daugherty, and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison.
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.