Area Marching Bands Set to Compete at Dodger Stadium September 22
September 21, 2018, Fort Dodge, IA- The North Central Iowa Marching Band Clinic and Competition will be held Saturday, September 22, at Dodger Stadium. Fifteen bands will participate in the festival: Fort Dodge Senior High, ADM, Algona, Aplington-Parkersburg, Carroll, Carroll Kuemper, Charles City, Indianola, IKM, Ogden, Pocahontas Area, Saydel, Spencer, William Penn University and Iowa Central Community College.
The morning and early afternoon will consist of clinics for the bands hosted by the judges for the event. The day will conclude with a field show competition beginning at 4:50 p.m. The Iowa Central Community College band performs at 8:15 and the Fort Dodge Senior High Marching Band will perform at 8:45 p.m. The award ceremony for the show takes place at 9 p.m. The field show is open to the public and admission is $6 per person. There is no charge for kids younger than kindergarten. The gates will open at 4:00 and concessions will be available.
“Events that include both a clinic and contest are somewhat unusual,” said Al Paulson, Fort Dodge Senior High band director. “We are excited to be able to offer this educational and fun clinic and contest combination event for the kids.”
The invitational gives bands the chance to brush up their performances prior to the Iowa High School Music Association’s State Marching Band Competition on October 6. According to Paulson, during the festival the bands will get constructive feedback from some of the top marching band instructors in the Midwest as they prepare for the state competition.
“This clinic gives the bands a chance to identify how they can improve prior to the state competition next month,” Paulson said. “It’s a great learning experience leading up to state.”
The mission of the Fort Dodge Community School District is to provide quality learning experiences and build relationships that develop productive citizens ready for their futures. For more information about the Fort Dodge Community Schools visit www.fdschools.org or call 515.576.1161. Our Schools. Our Community. Our Pride.
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