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Belpre Marching Band finishes strong award season

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BELPRE -- The Pride of Belpre Marching Band finished off its award winning season this past week.

Performing a steam-punk inspired show, "The Alchemist's Machine," the 48-member marching band scored an "Excellent" rating at the Ohio Music Education Association State Finals held at Medina High School in Medina, Ohio, on Nov. 1.

The band is composed of students from seventh through 12th grades.

Throughout the season the band was regularly performing at Belpre's Friday night football games and over the course of four weeks, it was traveling to marching band competitions, receiving high marks.

The show included the selections "Movement 1 - The Work Begins," "Movement 2 - Molten" and "Movement 3 - Forged In Flames."

On Oct. 25, the band held a Community Night performance where people came to Belpre High School and performed the entire show for people in the Belpre community.

"These students have poured their hearts into this season," Belpre Marching Band Director Bill Van Pelt said. "They've spent months rehearsing through the heat, the rain, and long weekends.

"Their dedication, leadership, and unity have been inspiring. They truly have been 'forged in the fire and united by the machine.' I am very proud of each of them."

The band's honors this season included:

OMEA State Finals in

Medina, Ohio, Nov. 1

– Excellent Rating

Lancaster Band of Gold Competition on Oct. 18

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Band

– Earned a Superior Rating, qualifying for the OMEA State Finals

Nelsonville Buckeye Classic on Oct. 18

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Percussion

– Class C First Place Band

– Earned a Superior Rating, qualifying for the OMEA State Finals

Warren Legacy Competition, Oct. 11

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Percussion

– Class C First Place Band

– Class C/B Combined - Best Color Guard

– Earned a Superior Rating, qualifying for the OMEA State Finals

Athens Invitational

Marching Festival, Oct. 11

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Percussion

– Class C First Place Band

– Earned a Superior Rating, qualifying for the OMEA State Finals

Marietta Band-O-Rama,Oct. 4

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Percussion

– Class C First Place Band

– Overall Best Color Guard

– Earned a Superior Rating, qualifying for the OMEA State Finals

Meadowbrook Festival

of Bands, Sept. 27

– Class C First Place Color Guard

– Class C First Place Band

Starting at /week.