The Pride of Belpre Marching Band on the field during one of its performances this season. The 48-member band performed a steam-punk inspired show, “The Alchemist’s Machine,” for which the band won a number of awards. (Photo Provided)

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.”

Liam Kocher of the Pride of Belpre Marching Band Color Guard performs during a show this season. The Belpre Color Guard received a number of awards. (Photo Provided)

On Oct. 25, the band held a Community Night performance of the entire show for people in the Belpre community at the high school.

“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 on Nov. 1

Luke Allen and Niko Moore perform in the pit as part of the Pride of Belpre Marching Band this season. The band won a number of honors at marching band competitions around the area for a steam-punk inspired show, “The Alchemist’s Machine.” (Photo Provided)

* 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

Riley White performs a solo on a baritone as part of the Pride of Belpre Marching Band’s steam-punk inspired show, “The Alchemist’s Machine” during a recent competition. (Photo Provided)

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

Field commander Mackenzie Boyd signals the judges that the Pride of Belpre Marching Band is ready to perform during a recent competition. The band received a number of awards over the past month for the steam-punk inspired show, “The Alchemist’s Machine.” (Photo Provided)

Warren Legacy Competition on 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

Addie Dunlap plays clarinet during a performance this season of the band’s steam-punk inspired show, “The Alchemist’s Machine” with Kylie Thompson on bass drum behind her. (Photo Provided)

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

Athens Invitational Marching Festival on 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 on 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 on Sept. 27

* Class C First Place Color Guard

* Class C First Place Band