Saturday, the bands, and all the hard work and preparation involved in coordinating a marching band, takes the spotlight. The 34th Annual Dale Bumpers marching contest will be held at Alumni Field in Charleston on Saturday, October 3rd starting with the first band at 11:15 am. A total of 12 bands from all around the area will be performing. There is an admission of $5 for spectators.
“The Dale Bumpers marching invitational has a history of being a great assessment contest for smaller marching programs,” said Charleston Band Director Josh Uhrich. “That being said, we also have a reputation for being a fun event for all students, directors, and spectators year-after-year, and word has spread across the state.”
The schedule goes as follows:
- 11:15 am – Hackett
- 11:30 am – Paris
- 11:45 am – Cedarville
- 12:00 pm – Mansfield
- 12:15 pm – Lavaca
- 12:30 pm – 1:15 – Break
- 1:15 pm – Mountainburg
- 1:30 pm – Highland
- 1:45 pm – Booneville
- 2:00 pm – Spiro (OK)
- 2:15 pm – Waldron
The host Charleston band will perform at 2:30, followed by Fort Smith Southside at 2:45. The awards ceremony will follow after the Southside performance.
Charleston’s performance is titled “Celestial,” and features Morning Mood by Grieg, Soak up the Sun by Sheryl Crow, Fly me to the Moon (Jazz Standard), Counting Stars by One Republic, and The Final Countdown by Europe. Featured soloists are Senior Lilee Staton on the piccolo, Senior Carson Fanick on trombone, Junior Trace Grist on Saxophone, and Sophomore Samantha Irelan on clarinet.
Josh Uhrich and the The Charleston Band program would like to thank the Band Booster Board for making all of this possible: Sommer Leonard – President, Elizabeth Booher – Vice President, LeeAnna Christensen – Treasurer, and Sasha Grist – Secretary.
Thank you to Troy Fleming for contributing information to this article. Photo credit to Sharon Baumgartner Dewitt.
