Dowagiac’s showtune performance had the crowd at this year’s sixth district Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festival singing and clapping along Wednesday night.
The Dowagiac Chieftan Marching Band received a Division II rating for their movie medley performance containing “Jurassic Park Fantasy” arranged by P. Lavendar, “Jaws/Superman” arranged by J. Vinson and “Danny Effman Closer” arranged by M. Brown.
The Chieftans have the second-largest marching band competing in the festival, totaling 82 band personnel. The Edwardsburg Marching Band had the largest program, with a total of 105 band personnel.
Schools receiving a Division I rating were New Buffalo High School, River Valley High School, Edwardsburg High School and Niles High School.
In addition to Dowagiac, schools receving a Division II rating were Cassopolis, Buchanan and Bridgman.
Benton Harbor High School performed a high energy medley complete with dancing and chanting for comments only.
Other bands performed musical numbers ranging from a “Little Shop of Horrors” medley by Alan Menken (Buchanan) to “Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull (Edwardsburg).