5 area bands in state’s Top 14

Performing jazz, rock and other styles of music, Richmond, Centerville, Winchester, Northeastern and Tri students were among the best bands at Indiana State Fair.

Richmond’s “Gennett Legacy” tribute to the city’s jazz recording heritage led schools in Wayne, Randolph and Henry counties with a fourth-place finish. The Marching Red Devils wore zoot suit-styled shirts and Devilettes dressed as 1920s flappers to perform include Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust,” King Oliver’s “Dippermouth Blues” and Jelly Roll Morton’s “Grandpa’s Spells.”

Centerville’s Blue Regiment was sixth with its “Total Eclipse”-themed show.

Eastern Indiana schools dominated the Top 6. Muncie Central was first; Anderson, second; Kokomo, third; and Jay County was fifth.

READ: Learn more about each band’s theme and preparations for the 2024 State Fair Band Day

The Spirit of Muncie had won all preliminary contests it entered with its “Uninvited” show featuring music by Alanis Morissette.

The Force of Winchester placed 10th, just one-tenth of a point higher than Northeastern, which finished 11th.

Henry County Crimson Crusaders, which includes Tri, Blue River, Shenandoah and Knightstown schools, finished 14th in its first-ever Sweet 16.

Find additional photos and coverage from Band Day in Western Wayne News’ Aug. 7 edition.

Friday evening update: Several local schools qualify for Band Day’s Sweet Sixteen

Centerville named top AA band for 12th year

Five high school bands in Wayne, Henry and Randolph counties advanced to Indiana State Fair’s night competition on Friday, Aug. 2.

Centerville, Northeastern, Richmond, Winchester and Henry County Crusaders will compete in the Sweet 16.

In alphabetical order, they are joined by Anderson, Frankton Lapel, Jay County, Kokomo, Marion, Montgomery County United, Spirit of Muncie, Tri-West, West Lafayette, Western Boone and Yorktown.

Band leaders are randomly drawing for their performance order in the next contest, which begins at 8 p.m. Friday. Morning scores will not be factored into night results.

Residents can listen to the night competition via local radio through Whitewater Broadcasting’s WKBV/ESPN 1490AM and 100.9FM and STAR 98.3 FM.

Daytime awards

For the 12th year in a row, Centerville won the best mid-sized Class AA band. The Blue Regiment also won three caption awards for best visual effect, general effect and auxiliary.

Randolph County’s Winchester won third overall in Class AA and Frankton-Lapel was second. Frankton-Lapel won the AA music award and Western Boone had the best percussion in that division.

Richmond won best percussion in Class AAA, for the largest bands. Spirit of Muncie earned three awards for music, general effect and visual effect, and Kokomo’s auxiliary scored highest.

Judges said Spirit of Muncie had the best overall score for the largest bands, followed by Kokomo and Anderson.

It’s the first Sweet Sixteen for Henry County Crusaders, which have existed for three years. It’s a partnership between Tri, Blue River Valley, Knightstown and Shenandoah junior/senior high schools. Their show is “Rhapsodies in Blue.”

Henry County Crusaders won second place overall for the state’s smallest bands in Class A and took home the visual effect award.

Randolph County’s Monroe Central won best percussion in Class A. 

Tri-West earned awards for music, general effect and auxiliary and took home the overall Class A award. Sheridan was third overall.

Daytime finishes

Hagerstown’s Golden Tigers finished 22nd and Monroe Central was 24th out of 37 entrants. 

Lincoln and Randolph Southern received a participation award. They were joined by Alexandria Monroe, Bishop Dwenger, Blackford County, Cardinal Ritter, Decatur County, Eastbrook, Eastern Hancock, LaGrange County, North Daviess and Tipton. Those placements were not announced.

Results were announced for 17th through 25th.  

They were:

• 25: Cowan-Daleville
• 24: Monroe Central
• 23: Elwood
• 22: Hagerstown
• 21: Speedway 
• 20: Hamilton Heights 
• 19: Frankfort 
• 18: Mooresville
• 17: Sheridan