Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Rustin band performs at national championship
The Rustin High School Golden Knights Marching Band performed Nov. 10 at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Westfield, Indiana, competing with 100 other marching bands across the country.
Although the group did not advance to the semifinal round, band director Mike Shoremount said he was ecstatic over what the group accomplished.
“This is incredible for a first-year band making this unbelievable jump to the largest and most renowned high school marching band competition,” said Shoremount. “This was a life-changing experience for all involved.”
Following the preliminary competition, band members attended the Percussive Arts Society International Convention at the Indianapolis Convention Center and had the opportunity to meet members of the Drum Corps International 2017 World Champion Blue Devils Drumline.
At the conclusion of the convention, students returned to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the BOA finals before returning home to West Chester.
The Golden Knights Marching Band advanced to the BOA Grand National Championship after winning their seventh USBands Pennsylvania State Championship on Oct. 28 at Lincoln University.
The competition style is geared toward a drum corps-style performance, with music being most important, followed by all types of simultaneous demands placed on the performers.
“Individual field music, ensemble music, visual performance, the overall effect, percussion, and color guard,” said Shoremount. “Band members are not simply marching and playing any longer. They are playing extremely difficult music while running and performing ballet moves!”
Shoremount said the band, led by drum majors Olivia McLucas and Andrew Whitig, performed exceptionally well at the BOA Grand National Championship.
“We have all grown so much from being able to compete at this high of a level,” said Shoremount.