Their show was titled ‘Divide and Conquer,? and the LO High School Marching Band did just that this season.
Nearly 200 students, all under the direction of Michael Steele, Ben Clark and Lauren Peterson, wowed spectators from across the Midwest while they performed, and won, in competitions all season.
The band placed third at the Michigan Invitational, and third at the Ypsilanti Regional competition in the AAA class, capturing the Best General Effect award.
They placed first at the Clarkston Invitational, winning Best General Effect and Best Music; and first again at the Great Lakes Invitational, winning Best Marching, Best Music and Best General Effect.
The band then went on to take second place at Ford Field for the State Finals, walking away with a score of 88.2 and the Best Marching award.
They also performed at the Bands of America Grand National Competition in Indianapolis and placed 48th in the nation.
‘The Grand Nationals Competition was the very best musical performance by the band,? Director Steele said.
But winning competitions isn’t all the band is known for. They also win the hearts of most people they meet.
After their performance in Indianapolis, emails between parents, coaches, other marching band members and spectators flew, complimenting the Lake Orion band’s sportsmanship, kindness and overall decorum.
‘Always polite and encouraging… a very classy group,? one email said.
‘Not only do you have a wonderful band program,? another email said, ‘but you have even better kids!?
When the band didn’t place in the Grand National competition, the students put their enthusiastic support behind the Plymouth-Canton band – a band Lake Orion beat on the state level – when it moved on to the finals.
‘Despite [their] accomplishments the Lake Orion Marching Band, and more specifically, the kids, will be remembered much more for their conduct off the field than on,? a third email said.