Newark High School’s Pride of Newark Marching Band will be participating in the Ohio Music Education Association State Marching Band Finals for the 40th consecutive year — an OMEA state record. Competing in OMEA sanctioned events on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Northwest High School in McDermott and at Valley High School in Lucasville, the Pride received overall ratings of Superior qualifying them for the finals.
At the Valley competition the band had the highest score, of 11 bands, for the Visual caption and received their highest total score in the past four years.
Band director Lee Auer stated he was very proud of his band’s effort. “We are so proud to carry on the tradition that has been set by thousands of Pride of Newark band members over the past four decades. I am especially thankful for the continued support and standard of excellence established by long-time NHS director Randall Lamb who led the band during their first 28 appearances to State.”
Auer complimented the hard work and dedication of his students, instructors, staff members, boosters and administration since beginning work on the 2019 show “Talk to Me” in July. Along with performing in OMEA competitions and at NHS football games the band also competed in a Bands of America regional competition for the first time since the 1980s.
The band concludes their season with a competition this Saturday, October 19, at Piqua High School and on October 26 when they will host the 45th Newark Marching Band Invitational at White Field. Performing at the show will be Northridge, Shenandoah, Westfall, Highland, Cambridge, Licking Valley, Logan Elm, River View, Franklin Heights, Berne Union, Dublin Jerome, Watkins Memorial, Reynoldsburg, Westerville South, Licking Heights, Westland, Hilliard Bradley, and the Pride of Newark. The competition will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Pride’s State Finals performance will be on November 9, at 6:30 p.m., at Brunswick High School. Additional information about the Newark band program can be found at
www.NewarkBands.org