Bands to converge on Madison for Rocket City Marching Invitational

MADISON – On Sept. 21, the City of Madison will be packed with instrumental musicians, color guards, dance squads and auxiliary teams for the excitement at the 2024 Rocket City Marching Invitational.

Band members and boosters invite residents to attend the Rocket City Marching Invitational at Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive in Madison, for a day of top-rate entertainment in music and motion. To-date, the high school bands that have entered the invitational are Ardmore, Athens, Buckhorn, Decatur, Grissom, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals and Sparkman.

Gates will open at 12:30 p.m. Bands will march in the Preliminary phase, starting at 1:30 p.m. The Finals segment is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Exhibition bands will be Bob Jones Competition Band and Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon & White Band. Bands will assemble for their results in the award ceremony at 9 pm.

Currently, most high schools have both a ‘football band’ and a ‘competition band,’ each with a unique marching show. Directors choose students in the competition band from the entire membership by observation, music auditions and recommendations from middle-school directors, along with evaluations from band camp. (bjhsband.com)

Band members will give their all to win in various categories: Best Overall Drum Major; Best Overall Visual Ensemble (Auxiliary Units); Best Overall Percussion; Best Overall Visual; Best Overall Music; Best Overall Effect, followed by second and third place honors; Grand Champion; and Fan Favorite.

In previous years, weighting by the judging panel included music at 50 percent; visual at 30 percent; and 20 percent for general effect. After viewing the marching shows, the audience will vote for “Fan Favorite.”

John Hightower, host of “Brass, Reeds and Percussion” on WLRH Public Radio will emcee the event. Volunteers will sell tasty concessions throughout the day.

At Bob Jones, Leigh Thomas is Director of Bands. Kevin Smart is Assistant Director and directs the percussion line.

Hosts for the invitational are Bob Jones Band and KODA Technologies. Sponsors include Dr. and Mrs. Ed Nichols, Greg Machen Photography, Monte Sano Research, The Orthopaedic Center or TOC, Redstone Federal Credit Union, WLRH 89.3, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Campers Inn RV and Burn Boot Camp.

Tickets are available at S2Pass. For more information, visit bjhsband.com.