Ten marching bands compete at North Schuylkill Tournament of Bands competition

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – Marching bands from across eastern Pennsylvania took to the hardcourt in competition Saturday after rain forced activities indoors.

While the new venue in the Cesari-Hope Gymnasium at North Schuylkill High School kept the bands from spreading out in all sorts of moving formations, it brought the audience much closer to the action.

The competition was part of the Tournament of Bands circuit, one of the two main marching competition circuits in Pennsylvania.

Ten bands performed, including all three northern Schuylkill schools as well as schools from as far away as Lewistown and Harvey’s Lake. Four more bands were originally slated to perform but cancelled due to the venue change.

The bands competed in various divisions based on the band’s size and competition level.

Two bands competed in the Open class, which is considered “the traditional competitive arena for experienced groups and staff,” though they were in different divisions based on their size.

Those two bands — Lake Lehman and Mifflin County — performed modern competitive shows with a variety of visuals and story elements mixed in.

In the A class, intended for bands which are newer to the competitive space, bands performed field shows which could be considered more traditional for those who are used to high school football halftime shows.

Six bands competed in that class, split into three divisions based on size — Shenandoah Valley and Mahanoy Area in 2-A; Panther Valley and Blue Mountain in 3-A; and Shamokin and Williams Valley in 1-A. North Schuylkill also competes and performed in the 1-A division, but hosting bands are not eligible to win their own competition.

Tri-Valley competed in the Festival class, in which non-competitive bands may choose to participate and receive feedback and a rating (Gold/Silver/Bronze), according to the TOB website.

Following the competition, the North Schuylkill Football Band performed a few numbers for the competing bands.

The results of the competition are as follows:

2-Festival

SILVER: Tri-Valley

3-Open

1st Place: Mifflin County

1-Open

1st Place: Lake Lehman

2-A

1st Place: Shenandoah Valley
2nd Place: Mahanoy Area

3-A

1st Place: Blue Mountain
2nd Place: Panther Valley

1-A

1st Place: Shamokin
2nd Place: Williams Valley

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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