Strike up the bands

Maricopa High School hosted the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association Division III State Marching Band Festival on Saturday, as 28 bands from across the state descended upon Maricopa.

In order to qualify, each band had to receive a rating of Excellent or Superior in an Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association-sanctioned qualifying event.

Ivan Pour, Maricopa High School band director and site host, was happy with how Maricopa High was able to take part in such a prestigious event. Maricopa High School did not participate in the band competition.

“Usually facilities are something they look for, but in this day and age with the economy the way it is, willingness is really key…having a school that is willing to put it on and has the parent support to do it correctly,” Pour said. “We have a phenomenal facility, I have gotten numerous compliments already on how nice the field is and how much the kids enjoy playing here and marching here.”

This year, for the first time, bands with the top 10 scores in Division’s I, II and III are invited to participate in the State Marching Band Championship at Phoenix College next Saturday, Nov. 14.

Photo and video by Steve Sliker

Maricopa High School Hosts State Marching Band Festival from Steve Sliker on Vimeo.