Marching Band Competition

     On September 17, 2011 Riverbend High School held their first marching band competition, Battle at the Bend.  It was a USSBA competition. The USSBA or United States Scholastic Band Association is a program offering Youth Education in the Arts. Riverbend joined USSBA last year when Mr. Noe became the new band director.

     The competition started at five o’clock; family and friends came out to support band members from all over the region including Maryland. The five bands that competed that night included the schools:  King George High School “Royal Regiment”, Chancellor High School “Lightning Regiment”, Lee-Davis High School “Confederates”, Great Mills High School “Hornet Band”, and Washington-Lee High School “Generals”. The bands were judged on four different categories: ensemble, individual, visual performance, and overall effect.

     Riverbend has two different bands: a competition marching band and a Friday night game marching band. Band members can choose to be in just one or both.  Before the awards ceremony our school’s competition band and Friday night band performed their shows. Our school’s marching band show, this year is “Fire Bird” from Fantasia and the Friday night marching band plays pop songs including “All We Do is Win” and songs from Michael Jackson and the Black Eyed Peas. The “Emerald Sound and Guard” did not compete in the competition because they were the host school. Everyone did a great job, school spirits were high and great music was heard from all around.    
Caitlin Tolson, Staff Writer