State and Championships

E.B.F.H.S Marching Band Wins Championships!!

On Saturday, Oct. 13th, the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School Marching Band placed 1st in class 2A at the Mid-Iowa Marching Band Championships in Ankeny for the 16th time in 18 years. The band was also presented with the Outstanding Drumline Trophy. Earlier in the day, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band competed at the State Marching Band Contest in Pella where they earned their 27th consecutive Division I rating with a score of 83.5.

The E.B.F.H.S. Band had an excellent season this year going undefeated in class 2A competition at six different contests. The band outscored over 40 other bands in all classes during the season.

On Saturday September 22nd, the band had a great day in Cedar Rapids and Pella as they outscored a total of 14 other bands in two marching band competitions. In the morning, the band competed at the Linn-Mar Marching Band Contest and placed 1st in class 2A with a score of 70.3. The band also placed 1st at the Marching Dutch Invitational with a score of 68.1.

On Saturday, September 29th, the Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont High School Marching Band placed 1st in overall competition with a score of 82.3 at the Davis County Marching Band Contest in Bloomfield. In addition to placing first, the band also received the 2A Outstanding Drumline, Color Guard, and Drum Major trophies. The band also won the Overall Outstanding Drum Major and Drumline Awards. The E.B.F.H.S. Band outscored thirteen other bands including: Wapello, Putnam County, Cardinal, Pekin, Central Lee, Clark County, Missouri, Albia, Grinnell, Fairfield, Knoxville, Davis County, Washington, and Ottumwa

On October 6th, The Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Marching Band had a very exciting day as they placed 1st in the Valleyfest and Showdown Competitions in West Des Moines, outscoring all of the other 2A bands including North Polk. EBF won the Valleyfest 2A competition with a score of 67.2, 13 points ahead of the nearest competitor. Eddyville / Blakesburg also won the Outstanding Marching and Maneuvering, Hornline, Drumline, Color Guard, and Soloist of the Day Awards. Jessica Jones was chosen as the Outstanding Soloist in class 2A. EBF outscored 16 bands at the Valleyfest contest including Tri Center, North Polk, Norris, Nebraska, Carlisle, Atlantic, Adel Desoto, Knoxville, Bondurant Farrar, Dallas Center-Grimes, Clarke, Creston, Oskaloosa, Des Moines Lincoln, Des Moines East, Des Moines Roosevelt, and Newton. The judges selected Riley Arnold as the best marcher in the band.

In the evening contest, the “Showdown” of bands, the E.B.F.H.S. Marching Band placed 1st in class C with a score of 60.7. This is the 18th consecutive year that the band has placed 1st at the “Showdown” Contest. The band also won the Outstanding Color Guard, Drumline, Marching, Hornline, and Soloist trophies. The judges once again selected Jessica Jones as the Outstanding Soloist in class C for her amazing performance.

The E.B.F.H.S. Band has 70 members this year. The band is directed by Joe Overton, Dezirae Russell, color guard instructor Paige Langstraat, and Drumline instructor Paige Francis. The field commanders are Samantha Claypool and Emma Haselhuhn. The Drumline and Pit section leaders are: Emma Tanner, Nate McGinnis, Emma Bell, Jarrah Jensen, and Jessica Jones. The soloists for this year’s show are Andrea Long, Anna Haselhuhn, Jessica Jones, Heath Rice, and Paige Reck.

Director Joe Overton had these comments on the season: “This season has been really fun! We managed to get better at each contest we attended and learned to work together as a team.

I am so proud of everyone involved with our organization. It takes everyone to make our band successful. This has been a wonderful marching band season. We have created memories that we will never forget.”