About 1,000 people turned out for the Music on the Meramec marching band festival, held Sept. 25 at Fox High School in Arnold.
Ten bands performed at the event, including ones from Fox, Seckman and Windsor high schools.
“It went really well,” Fox High band director Tommy Perry said. “The weather was beautiful. It did get windy at times, and some bands, including us, had some issues with props staying put on the field. Overall, we ended the day with kids and parents getting to support and enjoy the hard work the kids have put in.”
Pattonville High School scored the most points and was awarded the grand champion, after winning the black class title by beating out bands from Seckman and Marion (Ill.) high schools.
Windsor won the red class crown, beating out North County and Parkway North high schools.
Perryville High School captured the white class title, topping New Madrid Central and Puxico high schools.
The bands are put in the various categories based on school enrollment, Perry said.
The Fox High band performed at the festival, but since it hosted the event, it did not compete for a title.
Perry said the main benefit of the festival was the feedback band directors received.
“I felt everybody benefitted from the judges clinic at the end,” Perry said. “Our judges were very knowledgeable and supportive. I think everybody got some really good feedback that you don’t really get at every competition. Usually, you get some tapes, but being able to sit down with judges to ask what they liked or didn’t like is really nice.”
Fox High performed its halftime show, “Blue,” and Perry said he was proud of the band’s performance.
“There was some adversity with some props blowing over,” Perry said. “They did a good job of adjusting on the fly to make it work. We felt we had a good run.”