<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1uu3ln_0wB8GjBM00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1uu3ln_0wB8GjBM00" width="1318" height="659" ><figcaption>The Maumee High School Marching Pride and Maumee Band Parent Organization are prepared to welcome several high school bands into Kazmaier Stadium on Saturday, October 19 for the annual Music in Motion competition. MIRROR PHOTO BY JODY SMALLEY</figcaption></figure>BY KRISTI FISH | MIRROR REPORTER — Seventeen marching bands will fill Kazmaier Stadium this Saturday for the return of Music in Motion.The marching band adjudicated event is the last chance for Ohio high school marching bands to qualify for the state-level competition.There are four different classes of competition, determined by the size of the school; and those competing are hoping to achieve a superior score in order to advance.“Folks qualify for state marching band if they get what is called a superior rating,” explained Maumee band director Eric Boswell. “The different categories of judging are general effect, visual, music, auxiliary and percussion. You need to average a one over all the categories, so you need at least three ones and two twos,” he said, referring to the rating system.As it is the last chance for bands to qualify for the state finals, most of the bands have spent several weeks perfecting their routines, taking the critiques they’ve received over time and helping grow their own skills, added assistant band director Alexis Gee.“It’s the final show for everyone other than states, so they have the best of their show out there. Everything is really complete,” Gee said. “It’s the culmination of everything they’ve worked for.”The performances will span from later afternoon though the evening, with each band receiving a 15-minute block to set up, perform and clear the field after, which allows for an almost 10-minute performance from each marching band.This year, the first band takes to the field at 4:45 p.m., followed by several hours’ worth of performances before the Maumee High School marchers show off their routine at 9:15 p.m.“This is not typical, but this year, The University of Toledo marching band will perform at the very end while we have judges’ tabulations going on,” Boswell added.While attendees are waiting for certain performances, they can also enjoy other opportunities through the Maumee Band Parent Organization at the event.“For the parent group, we are the fundraising component for the band. We don’t coordinate any of the high schools for the event, but we do tickets, concessions, signage and the raffle baskets,” said MBPO president Christina Ice.The organization has coordinated raffle baskets full of donations from several area businesses and community members, which will be raffled off at the event.The concessions are also staffed with band parents, and the proceeds from those sales help support the financial needs of the band.“Band can be expensive for kids to participate in, so we really want to help them,” Ice said. “We try to help pay for kids to do events and for them to eat at the events. As we budget each year, it’s all geared toward them being able to compete.”The organization also helps with funds for uniform repairs and other expenses as they pop up.It’s a necessary support system for the band, added Boswell, citing the work of MBPO officers Ice, Olivia O’Shea, Diane Sweinhagen, Dane Pavlis and Hannah Lafferty along with the other volunteers who make things possible for the students.“We have a great group of parents that work a lot of extra hours to make sure we can staff concessions and that’s a very big undertaking to get staffed, because it’s not just football concessions that they cover,” Boswell said.Stopping by the concessions is an easy way to support the organization, Ice said, which in turn supports the students.Cheering on the students is the easiest way for the community to make a big difference, Gee said.“We really want our families to encourage kids making music and come to concerts to cheer on the students, whether that’s band or any other students,” Gee said. “We just want to always cheer on the kids the way they do for others.”Community members can encourage hundreds of band members during Music in Motion on Saturday.Maumee City Council member Jon Fiscus will act as the announcer for the event, with Maumee City Schools Board of Education member Allison Fiscus conducting “The Star-Spangled Banner.”It is an all-hands-on-deck situation to make something as large as Music in Motion run as efficiently as possible and create a supportive environment for the students, Ice said.While Maumee High School previously received a superior score at another performance and will therefore advance to state finals on Sunday, October 27, they will still perform on Saturday.Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for seniors and can be purchased at the gate. Students who provide their school IDs gain free entry to the event.The gate opens in the early afternoon, so families can spend time perusing raffle baskets, enjoying concessions and preparing to cheer on all of the students.Following the performances, trophies, which have been sponsored by local businesses and organizations, will be presented for certain achievements.All of the events take place at Kazmaier Stadium at 1147 Saco St. in Maumee on Saturday.</div></body>

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Marching Bands To Fill Kazmaier Stadium For Music In Motion

BY KRISTI FISH | MIRROR REPORTER — Seventeen marching bands will fill Kazmaier Stadium this Saturday for the return of Music in Motion. The marching band adjudicated event is the last chance for Ohio high school marching bands to qualify for the state-level competition. There are four different classes...