The Avon Echo

by Owen Zuranski

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Avon Marching Black and Gold took home first place at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Bands of America’s Grand National Finals. This is an accomplishment that Avon Marching Band had not made since 2010, twelve years ago. After winning ISSMA’s (Indiana State School Music Association) state competition, the band had high hopes for Grand Nationals.

Senior and trumpet section leader Will Moad says that his mindset had hardly altered even after this win. “Since ISSMA and BOA (Bands of America) have different scoring systems and different judges, I didn’t think our win at state gave us any better chances at winning [nationals]. I didn’t think we’d win, especially because Carmel [High School] had beat us at every prior BOA event.”

Flash forward to right after their final performance of the season, nervous energy coursed through the band, knowing it was the last time they would get to perform their show, and any mistake made would be reflected in the outcome of all their work that season. While waiting on the results of the competition, thoughts ushered through the members of the band.

Senior and mellophone section leader Cooper Perkinson, seems to claim that he felt that they could win it after performing their final run. “I thought there was a chance since we had gotten second at semi-finals with a pretty good run and the final run felt perfect.”

Now that they’ve won it all, many members of the band are looking forward to next season. Not only this, but they now have the experience under their belt of what it takes to win a championship.

Senior and also trumpet section leader Aidan Wiles sees a lot of positives for the future of the band because of this win. “I think winning will be great for recruiting, but the thing that will really help the program is that all the returning members [that] understand how much effort and drive it takes to win.”