Marching bands compete in Rocket City Marching Invitational in Madison
MADISON – Several high school marching bands descended on Madison Saturday for the annual Rocket City Marching Invitational at Madison City Schools Stadium. Hosted by Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, the contest featured bands from across North Alabama and Mississippi.
It was a great day of competition, artistry and musical excellence, said Dana Mixer, who serves on Bob Jones Band Booster Board.
“Rocket City Marching Invitational offered more than just competition — it’s a showcase of community, artistic dedication and the excitement of marching bands at their best,” Mixer said. “With exhibition performances, high-level competition and the opportunity to see the Marching Pride of North Al- abama’s preview of their 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade set, it was a great event.”
Aside from trophies, the bands were also getting valuable lessons from experts.
“We just wanted to put on as quality of a contest as possible,” Bob Jones High School’s Director of Bands Leigh Thomas said. “We bring in the best of the best judges so that they can learn really early in the season and be able to apply all the great feedback that they’re getting.”
Bands from John Paul II Catholic High School, Grissom, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals, Sparkman, Tupelo, Miss. competed for the top awards.
After two rounds of performances, Tupelo High School from Mississippi was named Grand Champion of the event. Muscle Shoals finished second and Sparkman was third. Muscle Shoals also was named the fan favorite based on online voting.
The Liberty Middle School band and the color guard teams from Discovery and Journey middle schools delivered exhibition shows.
The Marching Pride of North Alabama from the University of North Alabama also provided an exciting exhibition show. Known for their elevated level of showmanship with its dance team, color guard and instrumentalists, the UNA Marching Pride is gearing up for their historic appearance in the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
The UNA Marching Pride was selected as one of only a few bands to march in the 99th annual Macy’s Parade on Nov. 27. At the marching invitational in Madison, UNA previewed their upcoming NYC performance.
See more photos on page 4B.
