SOSU, Durant High bands to host John Parnell Marching Contest
Press Release Date: 09-13-2007
Southeastern Oklahoma State University will host the 3rd–annual John Parnell Memorial Marching Band Contest Saturday, September 29.
The event is named in honor of the late John Parnell, former band director at Durant High School.
Three states will be represented this year. The 28–band field is among the largest in the state and the event is free of charge, even though most contests charge admission. Bands will vary from 20 to as many as 160–170 members.
SOSU Director of Bands David Christy said, “We are thrilled that we can carry on the legacy of John Parnell by means of hosting this contest. For us to have a full contest with 28 competing bands in only its third year of operation speaks volumes for the organization of the contest and the positive experience that we are able to give to the participating bands.”
The all–day contest is fan friendly with plenty of seating in Paul Laird Field. The Durant Band Boosters will host a fundraising concession stand across the street from the football field. “This contest would not be possible, of course, without the assistance and cooperation of many facets of the University, the “Pride of Durant” marching band under the direction of Chris Gregg, the Durant Band Boosters, and our valuable sponsors,” Christy said.
“It is truly special that so many segments of our community come together so that well over 3,000 people can visit Durant and have a worthwhile experience. Special thanks must go to the SOSU Band students in general and Kappa Kappa Psi, the marching band service fraternity, in particular.”
The bands are divided into classifications according to the enrollment of their respective schools. Preliminaries begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Class AA bands. There will be a lunch break following the 11:40 a.m. performance.
Prelims resume with Class AAA on the field from 12:30 p.m. to 2:45. Another brief break will precede the appearance of Class AAAA and AAAAA bands beginning at 3:15 and ending after the 4:45 performance.
Southeastern’s marching band will present an exhibition at 5 p.m. and finalists will be announced at 5:20.
The finals will begin at 7 p.m.
The finals will feature the top 10 overall bands as determined by the judges. Bands will be judged on Music Ensemble and Execution, Marching and Visual Execution, General Effect, Percussion, and Color Guard.
There will be seven judges to provide in–depth constructive criticism. Judges this year are Donald Miller, University of Texas–San Antonio; Alan Gray, Texas A&M-Commerce; Randy Jones, North Lamar High School, Paris, Texas; Jim Cude, Whitesboro (Texas) High School; Paul Onspaugh, Denison (Texas) High School; Alan Harkey, McKinney (Texas) North High School; and Stefanie Fulton, Sherman, Texas.
S&S (Texas) will open the Class 2A portion of the contest at 9:30 a.m. and be followed by Bells, Texas; Kingston; Tom Bean, Texas; Tishomingo; Plainview; Antlers; Howe, Texas; Konawa; Heavener; and Lexington.
Dickson will begin the 3A competition at 12:30 p.m., followed by Hugo; Pauls Valley; Idabel; Pottsboro, Texas; Lone Grove; Checotah; Broken Bow; Sallisaw; and Van Alstyne, Texas.
Sallisaw is the overall defending champion.
Ardmore opens the Class 4A competition at 3:15 p.m., followed by Ada; Burkburnett, Texas; and Oklahoma City Western Heights.
Denton Ryan High School of Texas leads off the 5A contest at 4:15 p.m. with Bossier City Parkway of Louisiana and Norman North to follow.
Finals begin at 7 p.m. The “Pride of Durant” will present an exhibition performance at 9:30 p.m., just ahead of the awards assembly.
Christy said, “The public is certainly invited to attend part or all of this magnificent event. We invite everyone to come out for a full day of great entertainment with snacks, drinks and lunch just across the street.”
