Licking County marching bands headed to state finals

NEWARK - Newark High School's band will be competing at the Ohio State Marching Band Finals next weekend after receiving a "superior" rating at their band invitational.

For a 42nd year, the high school hosted the annual event, which brought in 11 bands from different areas of the state to White Field.

The bands competed in four classes for placements, as well as for the chance to receive the superior rating.

Newark High School Director of Bands Lee Auer said his band usually competes about five or six times a year.

"That was [the] most energetic, just fun performance we've had all year," Auer said. "They went after it and they played very well."

Clarinet player and Newark High School senior Christopher Vadala also said he thinks he and the rest of his band members performed well.

​"I think it was probably our best performance this year so far," Vadala said.

Vadala has been involved with band since sixth grade.

​"I love the whole idea of making the music cause I just love playing my instrument," Vadala said.

He likes the friendships he has developed with his fellow band members and said it's fun to go to football games and support the team.

Auer said the band invitational gives all the participating bands the opportunity to show off their talents.

Also participating in the competition were Millersport, Madison-Plains, London, Wheelersburg, West Muskingum, Fairfield Union, Northridge, River View, Reynoldsburg, Lancaster and Dublin Coffman.

Auer said they are fortunate that these bands chose to come to Newark as part of their competition seasons.

This is the last week of the Ohio Music Education Association’s regular contests and Auer said a lot of bands are doing fine tuning before state finals.

At the contest, nine judges assessed each band. There were two music judges, one percussion judge, two visual judges, two general effect judges and two auxiliary judges.

Schools that also received superior ratings at the competition include Madison-Plains, Fairfield Union, Northridge, River View, Reynoldsburg, Lancaster and Dublin Coffman.

The reserve grand champion band was Reynoldsburg and the grand champion was Dublin Coffman.

In Class C, Millersport won first place. In Class B, Fairfield Union won third, Madison-Plains won second and Northridge won first.

In Class A, River View won first, and in Class AA, Lancaster won third, Reynoldsburg won second and Dublin Coffman won first.

Newark was not placed because they were the host school.

In combined classes B and C, Fairfield Union won best percussion and Northridge won best auxiliary. In combined classes AA and A, Lancaster won best percussion and Dublin Coffman won best auxiliary.

In overall awards, River View won best pit crew, and Dublin Coffman won best general effect, overall visuals and overall music.

Auer said he appreciated all the student and parent volunteers, band members, and band directors who helped make the competition possible.

He was happy to have the chance to show off White Field and raise money for new band uniforms, which Auer said they hope to have next year.

slmurray@gannett.com

740-328-8544

@sydlmurray