Avon High Marching Band Snags Superior Rating, 1st In 10 Years

AVON, OH — The Avon High School Mighty Eagle Marching Band is one of the best bands in the state. The marching band earned a Superior rating at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Band finals in Brunswick. That's shortly after the band was named Grand Champion of another OMEA competition in Maumee.

“I would like to acknowledge the journey of our senior class,” said Aaron Jacobs, AHS band director in a statement. “We did not even qualify for State their freshman year, as sophomores/juniors we earned an Excellent rating, as seniors they helped us achieve something that our band has not done since 2007 in earning the Superior."

This year's band had 95 members, including 34 freshman. Half of the Color Guard were freshmen. Two sophomores with the band were marching for the first time. Eight students in the band were playing their chosen instruments for the first time, Jacobs said.

So there was a lot of learning and growth that happened over the course of the season.

In two decades of competition, the AHS Marching Band has earned eight Superior ratings at state competitions. The previous Superior ratings came in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Quick math will reveal it has been 10 years since the band snagged a coveted Superior rating.

Plus, this is the first time the band has earned a Superior rating in Class AA at State.

"It is a testament to the work ethic and dedication of the marching band members this season, and we have so much to build upon going into the future," Jacobs said.

The rating breakdown for the band's State performance is below. There were two music judges. A rating of I is Superior and a rating of II is Excellent.

Music: I/II

Percussion: I/II/II (II overall): The two music judges and a specific judge just for percussion contribute the three ratings for percussion.

Visual: I/I

General Effect: I/II

Guard: I/I

Photo from Avon Schools