Directors Abe Barr and Aaron Klausing are rejoicing with the Owensboro High School Marching Band on a successful return to competitive marching band. The Owensboro High School Band qualified today for the KMEA State Marching Band Championship next weekend in Richmond, Kentucky. This will be the first appearance for OHS since October of 2007. Competing with the elite bands in Western Kentucky, our OHS Band placed Seventh in the 4A classification. Judges for this event have been selected from the very best music and visual professionals in our region.
This fall has been extremely successful with the OHS band placing First in class 4A at Apollo High School in September followed by First in class 4A at Hopkinsville High School in October. In the Hopkinsville Finals competition, the OHS band placed 3rd overall, placing them among the elite bands in Western Kentucky. What makes this remarkable is that this is our first competitive season in three years.
Abe Barr, (OHS Band director since 2013): “I am thrilled with the progress I have seen this year with such a young and inexperienced group of students. Their composure and performance level in competition this year has been on par with many bands that are already well seasoned in the marching band activity. The future is very bright for the Owensboro Marching Red Devils!”
Aaron Klausing, (OHS Assistant Band director since 2011): Quote “We did not know how the kids would respond this year in competition. We started the season wanting to go to some competitions, but their work ethic and enthusiasm really pushed the show to unprecedented heights.”
Tom Stites, (Owensboro Coordinator of Fine Arts) “Our Owensboro band program is capable of greatness in every aspect of music. They enrich our lives in concert, with outstanding individuals and now on the marching field. I am elated by the success our students, parents and directors have created in our community. Go Owensboro Band!”
The Owensboro band will be competing with the best marching bands in Kentucky Saturday, November 1st in Richmond, KY @ Madison Southern High School. You can follow the results on line via Kybands.com or via the Owensboro High School band website: http://owensborobands.weebly.com/
