Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, River Valley, New Buffalo and Berrien Springs all received a score of “I” — the highest possible rating — during Wednesday’s Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 6 Marching Band

Festival at Niles High School.

Receiving “II” — the second highest rating — were Cassopolis, Niles, Benton Harbor and Bridgman. Buchanan got a “III” rating.

Steven Gruver, Niles band director, said each band was judged against a state model and not against each other.

Bands were broken into categories based on size. Competing in the largest division — Class B — were Niles, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Benton Harbor.

Competing in Class C were Buchanan and Berrien Springs.

Competing in Class D were Cassopolis, Bridgman, New Buffalo and River Valley.

Gruver said bands in the smaller classes are graded less critically than bands in the larger classes.

District 6 encompasses schools in southwest Michigan.

There are 20 participating schools in District 6.

Ten schools performed Wednesday at Niles and 10 more at Paw Paw Wednesday.

Results

Class D

Bridgman II

River Valley I

Cassopolis II

New Buffalo I

Class C

Buchanan III

Berrien Springs I

Class B

Benton Harbor II

Dowagiac I

Edwardsburg I

Niles II