Madison High School Band Heads To National Championship

VIENNA, VA — The James Madison High School Marching Ensemble is headed to a national championship after winning the Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional competition in Maryland on Oct. 5. It's the first time a Virginia band has won a Bands of America Regional in over 40 years.

The Madison marching ensemble competed against bands from seven states along the East Coast to win the regional competition. The Bands of America Grand National Championship draw top high school marching bands from across the U.S. on Nov. 14-16 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"It is a very prestigious competition, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students to participate," said Michael Hackbarth, director of bands at Madison High School.

The band, called the "Pride of Vienna," last participated in the Bands of America Grand National Championship in 2014. The competition not only lets students perform in a professional stadium but to meet bands from other states and connect over the work that goes into the band program.

All students in the 150-member ensemble are slated to attend the national championship. Anyone can watch the championship live at www.flomarching.com.

The trip will cost nearly $100,000, and fundraising is underway. Fundraising will cover registration fees; transportation, lodging, and meals for the students, staff, and volunteers; registration fees, instructional costs; rehearsal space; equipment trucks and other expenses. According to Band Parents Organization treasurer Sylvia Martin Estes, most of the costs have been covered due to the "generosity and support of many members of the Vienna community."

Anyone can donate online, send checks to JMHS Band, 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna, VA 22181 (payable to “JMHS Band Parents” with a note in the memo line that the donation is for the Indianapolis trip).

Other ways to support the band include purchasing White House Historical Association ornaments around Vienna and on Election Day at Vienna polling places; attending the Tiny Tots concerts at Madison High School on Dec. 5-6; and participating in the Vienna Turkey Trot on Nov. 24 (benefiting the band and Vienna Volunteer Fire Department).

The marching ensemble will perform during halftime at the last home football game vs. Oakton on Friday, Nov. 1. For more on the band, visit www.jmhsband.org.