The Marion Patriot Pride Marching Band closed its season by finishing fourth in the 6A State Marching Contest and notching a First Division (Superior) rating for a school-record fourth straight year. The contest was held Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
With an overall score of 84.3, Marion was only 1.4 points behind third-place Lake Hamilton. With their First Division rating, Marion has the opportunity to qualify for the State Sweepstakes Award if they earn First Division ratings at the State Concert Contest in April.
“Our students gave us a performance I will remember for a long time,” said Marion Director of Bands Kristen Shepherd. “There were moments during the show when I had to take a breath, because I was so proud of what they had accomplished. Earning a First Division rating was the goal we set at the start of the season, and they met it with focus, discipline, and a lot of heart. It’s been an incredible season, and I couldn’t ask for more from this group.”
The complete order of finish is class 6A, and their scores, is as follows:
Van Buren – 89.9
Siloam Springs – 87.2
Lake Hamilton – 85.7
MARION – 84.3
Benton – 84.05
Jonesboro – 83.5
Mountain Home – 81.7
Russellville – 77.7
West Memphis – 75.6
Searcy – 74.85
Sylvan Hills – 74.65
El Dorado – 71.3
Sheridan – 71.2
With the state contest behind them, the band wrapped up a season that included Grand Champion honors at the Paragould Marching Invitational, Reserve Grand Champion honors at the Gulf Shores Classic in Daphne, Ala., and more.
A recap of the band’s successful season:
On Sept. 26, Marion finished first in their class at the Conquistador Classic Marching Band Contest in Olive Branch, Miss. Competing against some of the top bands in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, Marion also earned first-place honors in Color Guard and a second-place finish in Percussion.
On Oct. 10, Marion swept the Class 6A competition at the Power Band Classic at Lake Hamilton, earning first place in class and third place overall against 19 of the top bands from Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. Marion also took home five Best in Class awards, including Color Guard, Percussion, Music, Visual, and General Effect.
On Oct. 17, the Patriot Pride Marching Band turned in a dominating performance, sweeping all class and division awards en route to the Grand Championship at the Paragould Marching Invitational. The full slate of Marion’s awards is as follows: First Division guard, First Division percussion, First Division Band, Best in Class Music, Best in Class Visual, Best in Class Guard, Best in Class Percussion, Best in Class Band, Best in Class soloist: Mya Harris, Blue Division first place Visual, Blue Division first place Music, Blue Division first place Color Guard, Blue Division first place Percussion, Blue Division Grand Champion, and Overall Grand Champion.
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.
On Oct. 24, they earned a season-high score of 96.01 while defeating bands from Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida and being named Reserve Grand Champion at the Gulf Shores Classic. Marion earned First Division ratings in Music, Visual, and General Effect; placed second overall in Music, Visual, General Effect, and Percussion, and third in Color Guard. Soloists Patrick Rath and Keivon Robinson were named Best Overall Soloists.
This year’s production, “La Vie en Rose,” featured a heavy emphasis on the visual and musical symbolism of roses and the color red. Songs in the show included “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.