On October 26, the Lafayette Marching Band brought home yet another win at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) State Marching Band Competition at the L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in the University of Louisville, with the program titled “Four Nations.”

At this competition, the location of the preliminary performances was different for each of the five classes. All of the bands ultimately came together at the University of Louisville stadium during finals to compete. Class assignments are determined based on a formula that averages school size and band size, with Class A being the smallest and Class AAAAA being the largest. Lafayette’s class, Class AAAAA, competed at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Kentucky for the preliminary portion of the competition.

Each band is given a score out of 100, and a band can be deducted points for errors throughout the show or penalties, subh as timing issues. Lafayette won first in the 5A class with a score of 92.200. At finals, Lafayette placed first again, with an improved score of 93.300. This latest win marks the 24th state championship the band has earned since KMEA’s state competition began in 1986.

During October, the band has been working towards adding the final touches to the show to make it the best it can be. The head band director at Lafayette, Mr. Robert Bishop, states, ”We have been focusing on fine-tuning for our final performance, and we are continuing to strive to have our best performance of all, even when we are just rehearsing.”

Bishop explains the importance of students always doing their best in rehearsal. Rehearsal time is vital in improving the band as a whole, and rehearsing well is an important step in success.

This state championship win started a two-year state-winning streak for the band, and it was super exciting for the fans cheering the band on in the stands. The band looks forward to seeing how next year’s season will play out and hopes to keep the winning streak going.