3 bands crack fair’s top 10

With themes ranging from the 1980s “Pac-Man” video game to dance trends and Greek mythology, Wayne County’s five public high schools rose to the challenge of Indiana State Fair Band Day.

Richmond, Centerville and Hagerstown placed in the top 10, while directors for Northeastern and Lincoln also were proud of their students’ hard work on Friday, Aug. 1, and throughout the summer.

Richmond band mom Crystal Parr and her daughter Mack, an eighth grader, said they’ve loved their busy summer cheering on Ember, a junior. While the road to the state fair includes competitions, it’s also important for students to learn to support other Wayne County schools, Parr said.

Nearby schools also performed in the field of 34. Henry County Crimson Crusaders, which included Tri, finished 20th. Randolph County was represented by Winchester (sixth); Monroe Central (22nd); and Randolph Southern (26th).

Richmond

The Marching Red Devils and Devilettes enjoyed performing at 2:03 p.m., departing for Indianapolis at 8:30 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. as in some years. A later start made their approximately 2 a.m. return easier.

Richmond was the 15th band of the Sweet 16 to perform at night. After awards were distributed, marchers changed out of their uniforms and trailers were loaded before heading home.

Despite their late arrival, they received a police escort and fireworks from former band parents in the pyrotechnics business.

Director Dan Merkamp said this summer’s heat seemed rougher than usual, but community support has been high and Band Day’s weather was wonderful.

After an extended heat wave, Merkamp asked parents to ensure their students brought sweatshirts Friday.

He was pleased with the performance of their “Shut Up and Dance” show.

“The best part was we’re trying to get the students not to focus on where they place and focus on having a great time and a great performance,” Merkamp said.

That mindset helped RHS students be happy with their fifth-place finish, which was one spot lower than last year. Merkamp said band judges get placements pretty close, and the top schools (winner Anderson, Spirit of Muncie, Kokomo and Jay County) also worked hard and earned their scores.

“Unless you win, you’re going to feel you’re coming up short if you focus on that,” Merkamp said.

RHS’ percussionists repeated as Class AAA champions for their specialty skills during daytime awards.

The entire band will perform their state fair show one last time at RHS’ first home football game. Quite a few super seniors soon depart for their new opportunities.

Hagerstown

The Golden Tigers and Tigerettes gained attention for their leap from 22nd in 2024 to 10th in 2025. It was the first time Hagerstown qualified for the Sweet 16 since 2019.

And despite returning around 1 a.m. Saturday with a police escort, they gave back to their community a few hours later, performing in the Jubilee Days festival’s parade.

Friday’s show, “The Appalachian Way,” included familiar tunes such as “Simple Gifts” and “Shenandoah” as well as a hoedown.

In addition to helping several students receive scholarships to the Bands of America Band Camp, HJHS Director Kendra Sanders brought in regional experts to inspire her marchers at their own camp, including Noblesville’s director Eric Thornbury, who wrote Hagerstown’s show, and Earlham College percussion director Keith Cozart Steele.

Lizzy Haskett, a 2025 graduate who served as drum major, was bittersweet about her final days in band.

She transferred schools her junior year, and the sense of community and friends she gained through music made her adjustment easier. Haskett has received a scholarship to study music education and performance at DePauw University.

“I’m so incredibly honored to be a part of it and be around these amazing and inspiring kids and adults,” Haskett said. “You get really sweaty. Sweat bonds you.”

RHS’ director Dan Merkamp was among those cheering on his alma mater, where he also previously taught.

Centerville

The Blue Regiment has now earned 13 consecutive Class AA overall trophies for its daytime performance.

And, in addition to another round of caption awards for visual effects, general effects and guard, Centerville recaptured the music award it didn’t win in 2024.

Director Emily Arndt said students had felt the loss of the music award deeply. They had worked very hard on their “Jestures” show sound over the past two weeks and were quite proud to earn the honor again.

At night, they earned eighth overall.

“It was a long day but a really positive day,” Arndt said. “The kids got a chance to go out and show off their efforts and hard work and put on a show they were really proud of, and more importantly, it gave the students the experience of making a moment.”

Arndt, who has served as assistant director, stepped up to lead the band this summer after its director resigned in late May. She felt support from the youngest student to the oldest volunteer.

Next summer, Arndt plans to return as assistant since Chris Glover starts this fall as band director.

Students and parents showed flexibility and overcame adverse conditions. Two Band Day examples: They fixed a lost wheel from the sound cart and nursed a student back to health who was shocked and scared after being hit by a color guard rifle in windy conditions.

“The word ‘community’ is not good enough,” Arndt said. “We really are a family.”

Northeastern

New director Kalib Parsley said his students gave their best performance of “Pacmania” this season and they felt really great about it.

Although receiving 21st place wasn’t initially what the Marching Knights and Damsels hoped for, Parsley said their pride grew after a discussion reflecting on their successes and challenges.

Parsley, a 2025 Ball State graduate, quickly took the reins after Northeastern’s director resigned as school concluded. He said all students handled the sudden transition really well.

He’s “super proud” of their performance and excited about the show this group can build next year.

Parsley said all the kids are great, and his first summer at Northeastern has been a positive experience. He emphasized that the students’ hard work should be recognized.

Parsley’s also grateful for support from boosters and parents, especially those who loaded the trailer in rain at their Winchester competition. Lightning concerns led to students being evacuated to buses.

“It shows how Northeastern is a tight-knit community,” Parsley said.

Fortunately, Band Day went according to plan. Students were able to relax at Butler University after their performance. They enjoyed seeing the campus and exploring its fine arts building.

Lincoln

Wind was one of the challenges Ryan Schunk and his Golden Eagle Marching Band faced with their “Medusa” show highlighting Greek mythology.

Schunk was concerned about the band’s nine props, which was the most they’d used since he became director in 2019. He noted growing pains in manipulating them and getting them built, but he’s grateful for more parental involvement this summer with props, logistics and fundraising.

Musical selections included “Turn to Stone” by ELO and compositions by Maurice Jarre from “The Witness” film starring Harrison Ford.

Schunk said the crowd liked the music, which was the most challenging Lincoln had performed during his tenure.

Each year, directors write a show for the group they have. LMHS had only three rookies of its 14 performers, so with mostly veterans, “there’s a lot you can do with them,” Schunk said.

Unlike some bands, everyone was on the field playing all the time, Schunk said, and each performer had an equal responsibility to the ensemble.

Schunk believes LMHS had the smallest band, but they came in 30th of 34. One especially bright spot: Even though Lincoln’s guard had just three members, they earned a much higher score than several bigger Class A guards.