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NEMCC to host 41st Annual Northeast Regional Marching Band Championship

Over 30 marching bands are set to perform at Tiger Stadium in Booneville

by Michael H. Miller

BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- (09/30/2024) — Sounds of drums, horns, and marching formations will fill the air at Tiger Stadium and the City of Hospitality on Saturday, October 5, as Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC) hosts the 41st Annual Northeast Regional Marching Band Championship.

Over 30 high school marching bands from across Mississippi and Tennessee will compete in a daylong event featuring 36 performances.

Northeast's Showband from Tigerland will also showcase its talent with two exhibitions.

Strayhorn High School gets the honor of starting the day by taking the field at 9 a.m., with performances continuing throughout the day.

Admission to the all-day event is $10. For those wanting to encourage their bands or wish their child/children good luck in the contests, Northeast's color guard will be set up at the south portion of Tiger Stadium selling Band-O-Grams for $3.

Among the highlights, Caledonia, Mantachie, New Albany, and Strayhorn will each perform twice, participating in both the Ratings and Caption portions of the competition.

Booneville High School makes the short trek to Tiger Stadium and will cap off the high school portion of the evening with its exhibition performance at 7:45 p.m., followed by Northeast's final exhibition at 8:10 p.m.

Of the 31 bands scheduled, 29 will compete in either the Ratings or Caption segments.

Seventeen schools will participate in the Ratings portion, where bands are judged against a standard scoring system. The goal is for each band to receive "All 1s" or Superior ratings, which represent the highest level of achievement.

Schools competing in the Ratings portion include Aberdeen, Amory, Belmont, Bruce, Byhalia, Caledonia, Columbus, Hamilton, Itawamba, Mantachie, Mooreville, New Albany, Okolona, Shannon, Strayhorn, Water Valley and West Point.

In the Caption part, 16 schools will battle for top honors within their respective classes (1A to 7A), sweepstakes awards along with the coveted 6-foot Grand Champion trophy. The Caption competition sees bands judged in various categories, with the overall top-scoring school being crowned Grand Champion of the event.

Schools competing in the Caption portion are Alcorn Central, Baldwyn, Caledonia, Corinth, East Webster, Hardin County (Tenn.), Houston (Tenn.), Independence, Kossuth, Mantachie, Nettleton, New Albany, Pontotoc, Ripley, South Pontotoc and Strayhorn.

While the competition will test a band's mettle, one thing is certain: this year's event is guaranteed to have a new champion.

Neither Lake Cormorant High School, the 2023 winner, nor the 2022 and 2021 champions (Hoover, Ala., and Neshoba Central, respectively) are returning to defend their titles.

South Pontotoc, the 2019 Grand Champion, will be the most recent titleholder competing this year.

Awards for the Ratings portion being presented at 2:10 p.m. The evening's Caption Awards, culminating with the Grand Champion trophy presentation, will take place at 8:30 p.m.

Previous Grand Champions of the Northeast Regional Marching Band Championship 2023 - Lake Cormorant 2022 - Hoover, Ala. 2021 - Neshoba Central 2020 - No Contest (COVID-19) 2019 - South Pontotoc 2018 - Neshoba Central 2017 - South Pontotoc 2016 - Booneville 2015 - Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) 2014 - Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) 2013 - Tupelo 2012 - Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) 2011 - Brighton (Tenn.) 2010 - Athens (Ala.) 2009 - Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) 2008 - Athens (Ala.)

The 41st Annual Northeast Regional Marching Band Championship

Performance Schedule

Ratings Portion

Class 1A

9 a.m. - Strayhorn

9:15 a.m. - Okolona

Class 2A

9:30 a.m. - Water Valley

9:45 a.m. - Bruce

10 a.m. - Hamilton

Class 3A

10:15 a.m. - Aberdeen

10:30 a.m. - Mantachie

10:45 a.m. - Byhalia

11 a.m. - Mooreville

11:15 a.m. - Belmont

Class 4A

12 p.m. - Shannon

12:15 p.m. - New Albany

12:30 p.m. - Caledonia

12:45 p.m. - Itawamba

1 p.m. - Amory

Class 5A

1:15 p.m. - West Point

Class 6A

1:30 p.m. - Columbus

1:55 p.m. All Bands Retreat -- NEMCC Showband from Tigerland performs

2:10 p.m. Ratings Awards

Caption Portion

Class 1A

3:15 p.m. - Strayhorn

3:30 p.m. - Baldwyn

Class 3A

3:45 p.m. - Kossuth

4 p.m. - Alcorn Central

4:15 p.m. - Mantachie

4:30 p.m. - Independence

4:45 p.m. - Nettleton

5 p.m. - East Webster

Class 4A

5:30 p.m. - Hardin County (Tenn.)

5:45 p.m. - New Albany

6 p.m. - Ripley

6:15 p.m. - Caledonia

6:30 p.m. - South Pontotoc

Class 5A

6:45 p.m. - Pontotoc

7 p.m. - Corinth

Class 7A

7:30 p.m. - Houston, Tenn.

EXHIBITION

7:45 p.m. - Booneville

8:10 p.m. - NEMCC Showband from Tigerland

8:20 p.m. - All Bands Retreat

8:30 p.m. - Caption Awards

--NEMCC--

Information about Northeast Mississippi Community College

Northeast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.

For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

Media Attachments

Northeast Mississippi Community College Showband from Tigerland trumpet section members perform before the Tigers and Bears of Southwest Mississippi Community College football game on Thursday, September 5. Northeast’s Showband from Tigerland marching band will welcome 30 bands to the City of Hospitality on Saturday, October 5 for the 41st Annual Northeast Mississippi Marching Band Championship. First band takes the field of competition at 9 a.m. and awards for the Caption portion of the all-day event is slated for 8:30 p.m. Northeast is scheduled to perform two exhibition shows during the marching band championship.

Northeast Mississippi Community College Showband from Tigerland drum major Reed Roberson of Corinth prepares to lead the marching band onto the field at Tiger Stadium to perform before the Tigers and Bears of Southwest Mississippi Community College football game on Thursday, September 5. Northeast’s Showband from Tigerland marching band will welcome 30 bands to the City of Hospitality on Saturday, October 5 for the 41st Annual Northeast Mississippi Marching Band Championship. First band takes the field of competition at 9 a.m. and awards for the Caption portion of the all-day event is slated for 8:30 p.m. Northeast is scheduled to perform two exhibition shows during the marching band championship.

Northeast Mississippi Community College Showband from Tigerland low brass and woodwind section members perform before the Tigers and Warriors of East Central Community College football game on Thursday, August 29. Northeast’s Showband from Tigerland marching band will welcome 30 bands to the City of Hospitality on Saturday, October 5 for the 41st Annual Northeast Mississippi Marching Band Championship. First band takes the field of competition at 9 a.m. and awards for the Caption portion of the all-day event is slated for 8:30 p.m. Northeast is scheduled to perform two exhibition shows during the marching band championship.

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