The marching bands at Columbus North and Columbus East high schools have wrapped up their seasons with solid performances.
Columbus North was among 100 bands from across the nation to participate in Music for All’s Bands of America Grand National Championships, held Thursday through Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Sound of North marched its way to the Saturday semifinals, finishing 27th among 36 bands to reach that level. However, North was not among the 13 marching bands advancing to the finals, which saw Carmel take first place.
The North band also made the Class A state band finals at Lucas Oil Stadium last month, placing ninth.
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Sound of North Marching Band director Keith Burton said he was pleased with the placement during the grand national championships, calling it a “fantastic accomplishment” since the school hadn’t been to nationals in five years. He said it was great to see the band’s hard work pay off.
“It was an honor to be a part of it,” Burton said. “All the pieces were in the right places. They created a really special experience where people were moved during the show and it always doesn’t happen.”
Burton said this year was memorable for him, calling the Bands of America performance “emotional and moving.”
Meanwhile, the Columbus East marching band concluded its season a week earlier at the Mid States Band Association 3A Championships at Kings High School in Kings Mill, Ohio, finishing in 16th place out of 21 bands.
Olympian Spirit band director David Rodgers said he was pleased with the result.
“I thought we performed really great,” Rodgers said.
The Olympian Spirit band had great leadership this year through its group of seniors, Rodgers said.
“I’m proud of them,” he said.
