The Marching Blue Devils are having another fantastic year! They qualified to compete in the OMEA State Marching Band Finals for the second year in a row after receiving amazing scores during the Meadowbrook competition. They also qualified after performing at the Bonanza of Bands, which the Zanesville High School Marching Band has been hosting for 62 years!
This is Director of Bands Amanda Blevins’ second season with the Zanesville band program. She has had a long, award-winning career with numerous OMEA State Marching Band appearances, working with area bands, including her more than 25 years with Tri-Valley High School. Blevins always credits her students for their hard work, which leads to the band’s achievements under her and her staff’s guidance.
“We’re beyond proud of these kids,” Blevins commented. “They’re working so hard. We’ve doubled the size of the band, so half of the band is brand new to marching band and everything that goes on with the props. This year, we’ve added more props. We’ve added the front ensemble, we’ve added the guard, and all of them are working so hard. And a lot of them are, like I said, first-year people, so we’re beyond proud of everything they’re doing.”
Assistant Director, Karen Hand added, “We have the best kids in the world here. They work so hard, and they give us everything they’ve got. So, every practice, every time we’re out, they’re great.”
The 62nd Bonanza of Bands held on October 4 at Sulsberger Stadium at Zanesville High School brought 13 bands together for an evening of great music and exceptional talent. Class C bands that performed were Shenandoah, Philo, and Crooksville. In Class B were River View, John Glenn, Meadowbrook, Bloom Carroll, Ridgewood, and St. Clairsville. Representing Class A were Louisville, Tri-Valley, and Zanesville. Hilliard Davidson was the only Class AA band competing.
For the awards presented at the Bonanza of Bands, in class C, Shenandoah took home Outstanding Auxiliary, Crooksville won Outstanding Percussion, third place went to Shenandoah, second place went to Philo, and Crooksville earned first place. In Class B, Outstanding Auxiliary was presented to St. Clairsville, Outstanding Percussion went to Meadowbrook, and sixth place went to River View, fifth place went to Meadowbrook, fourth place went to Ridgewood, third place went to John Glenn, second place went to Bloom Carroll, and St. Clairsville earned first place. For Class A, Louisville won Outstanding Auxiliary and Outstanding Percussion, second place went to Tri-Valley, and first place went to Louisville. Hilliard Davidson received Outstanding Auxiliary, Outstanding Percussion, and first place in the AA Class. For the overall awards, Outstanding Auxiliary went to St. Clairsville, Outstanding Percussion went to Hilliard Davidson, Grand Champion in Classes C and B went to St Clairsville, and the Grand Champion in Classes A and AA went to Hilliard Davidson.
Besides Zanesville, four other bands qualified for state during the Bonanza of Bands, including Bloom Carroll, St. Clairsville, Louisville, and Hilliard Davidson.
“I’m so excited for all of our band kiddos, and Ms. Blevins has come in and done a great job,” said Superintendent Laura Tompkins. “The kids believe in her, and she believes in the kids, and that’s the most important thing.”
Be sure to follow the Zanesville Marching Band by going to their Facebook page @zhsbandboosters.