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Showcase of the Bands to close Artsbridge summer concert series

By Staff Reports 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Showcase of Bands will be the final concert in the Artsbridge Summer Music Series from 7-8 p.m. Thursday at City Park.

Featured marching bands will be from Belpre High School, Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg South High School and Williamstown High School. The performance is sponsored by Napoli's and the City of Parkersburg.

The Belpre High Golden Eagles Marching Band, the Pride of Belpre, is under the direction of William Van Pelt and assistant director Martha Webster. The band has grown to be among the largest Class C marching bands in the area.

The Pride of Belpre returned to the Ohio Music Education Association State Marching Band Finals for the second consecutive year in 2022 after a 21-year absence.

Dan White is beginning his 18th year as director of the Parkersburg High Marching Band. During his tenure the award-winning band has participated in the TaxSlayer and Relia Quest Bowls in Florida and three times in the Disney Magic Music Days.

The band competes each year in several band competitions, supports its team at home and at away football games, appears in local parades and performs for many local celebrations and special events.

Members participate in honor bands each year at West Virginia University, Marshall University, Glenville State University and Moorehead State University and in the West Virginia All State Band. Past members of the band have careers as professional musicians and music teachers.

The Parkersburg South Patriot Marching Band is under the direction of Greg Myers, who is assisted by Lori Myers, Alyssa Bumpus, Bill Keller and Jack Turner. Caryn Keller is the sign language interpreter.

The band is led on the field this year by Drum Major Caleb Rowan, who will conduct selections from the 2023 Competition Show, "A Sound for All Seasons," "September," "Snow Queen," "April in Paris" and "Summertime."

Among 2022 awards were honor band (parade and field) at the Oil and Gas Festival, grand champion at the Jim Kessell Big Red Band Invitational and grand champion at the Black Walnut Festival. The band also performed last spring in a parade at the Disney Magic Kingdom.

The Pride of Williamstown is in its fifth year under the direction of Jed Corra. In the past five years, the band has participated in competitions around the state of West Virginia, including the Oil and Gas Festival Marching Band Contest, Parkersburg South Marching Band Invitational, Jim Kessell Big Red Band Invitational and the West Virginia Marching Band Invitational, among others.

Among awards the band has placed first in Color Guard at the John Marshall Competition, third overall in Division 1 at the Patriot Marching Band Invitational, third overall at the Big Red Band Invitational, first in Color Guard and Division 2 runner up at the Black Walnut Festival.

At the West Virginia Marching Band Invitational, Williamstown received second runner up grand champion in the Blue Division. Players have been part of the West Virginia All State Band, participated in the West Virginia Solo and Ensemble Festival and have received individual music scholarships.

Showcase of the Bands will be held at the bandshell and moved to the horseshoe pit in the event of rain. Food vendors will be available and donations will be accepted to support Artsbridge programs.

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