By placing first in visual, musical and general effects over Center Grove and Decatur Central, the CHS marching band swept the competition at the Avon Invitational on Sept. 24. These results are comparable to the outcome of the Lawrence Central Invitational on Sept. 17, in which they placed first in the same categories.

“We knew we would be top scorers, but we were surprised we won as much as we did considering how we performed,” Kathryn Dawson, drum major and senior, said.

The next competition for the marching band is the ISSMA district competition scheduled to take place on Oct. 1.

“Hopefully we will have improved our show by then, and we’re looking forward for a chance to make it to Regionals,” Dawson said.

Besides the competition season, the marching band also has other plans in store. Bandcoming, which was originally scheduled to take place on Oct. 8, has been moved to take place on Oct. 22 due to conflicts with the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. In addition, the marching band is still preparing for its performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which will take place on Nov. 24. In order to perfect both the competition and Thanksgiving show, the band must practice often according to Michael Pote, associate director of bands.

“We have practice from Tuesday to Friday from 6:55 to 7:40 in the morning and 3:45 to 6 after school at the stadium. Then we have Saturday practice from around 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m,” Pote said.