The Ohio Music Education Association is the principal organization in Ohio promoting music education in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities.
Bands that receive a superior rating qualify for the Ohio State Marching Band Finals in Columbus. Bands compete for awards in their class — determined by school enrollment — as well as a rating based upon OMEA guidelines.
Waiting to perform is fun, exciting and exhilarating, said co-field commander Scott Koontz. “And it feels great when we’re done because we usually do so well.”
Playing against Hamilton is a tradition, said Melissa Hapner, a Middie band parent. “The Middies and Hamilton football game — the Butler Bowl — is always one of the biggest games of the conference. They are the team to beat.”
However, Hapner said, band members at the two schools are “actually very friendly and get along. It’s always nice to come here.”
This year’s competition also included bands from: Hamilton High School; Ross High School; Anderson High School; Madeira High School; and Kettering Fairmont High School, which took home the six-foot traveling trophy as the grand champion.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.
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