By HOLLY GASKILL
Bluffton High School will host its annual On the Banks of the Wabash contest this Saturday at 3 p.m.
There will be 16 bands competing and over 800 students participating. The groups are divided by classes — Scholastic A and B and Open Class A, B, C and D — based on their size and skill.
The bands will be scored by an independent panel of six individuals who also judge for the Indiana State School Music Association contests. Trophies will be awarded to the first three places in each division and overall achievement for the categories of best music, visuals and effect.
“We always look forward to hosting the great groups from Northern Indiana,” said James Bueter, Bluffton High School director. “There are so many talented music students and it is a privilege to coordinate a competition for them to demonstrate their talents.”
Admission for the event is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.
The competition will open with Scholastic B and A divisions and will follow with Class D, C and B. No bands entered the Class A division.
Awards are scheduled after the Scholastic and Class Divisions, the first expected at 5:20 p.m. and the second just after 8 p.m. An exhibition from Bluffton’s marching band will take place before the first awards.
Bishop Dwenger and Eastside will compete in Scholastic B; New Haven, Wayne and Northrop will compete in Scholastic B; Adams Central, Woodlan and Whitko will compete in Class D; Norwell, Concordia, Garrett and Angola will compete in Class C; and Leo, Huntington North, East Noble and DeKalb will compete in Class B.
“Bluffton High School has been very fortunate to host this event for many years,” Bueter said. “The Band Boosters do a fantastic job organizing the event, and it is highly respected by the many directors that return year after year.”
holly@news-banner.com
