On a high note: PIMBA’s Moon championships close out district marching band competition season

There were marching bands stretched from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline on the football field at Moon Area High School’s Tiger Stadium Saturday night.

Eighteen bands had started warming up, performing and competing one at a time at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association (PIMBA) Championships just before 4 p.m., and just before 10 p.m., all were invited to take the field at once in long rows in what’s known as a “full retreat.”

The big crowd in the stands looked on as spectators and band members alike waited for the judges to compile their scores so they could be announced.

Meanwhile, the public address announcer suggested that the students start “the wave,” and some of them literally jumped at the chance, sending surges of colorful band uniforms and color guard outfits and smiling, laughing faces rolling back and forth over the field.

Then the bands stood at attention as they announced the scores, class (smallest to largest schools) ranks and overall ranks:

A

1. Southmoreland (85.575, ninth overall)

2. Burrell (81.800, 13th overall)

2. Leechburg (80.400, 14th overall)

4. Connellsville (79.638, 15th overall)

5. Yough (78.475, 16th overall)

AA

1. Mars Area (86.550, sixth overall)

2. Fox Chapel (85.975, eighth overall)

3. Upper St. Clair (85.538, 10th overall)

4. Baldwin (85.275, 11th overall)

5. Deer Lakes (84.800, 12th overall)

AAA

1. Mt. Lebanon (90.675, fourth overall)

2. Gateway (86.288, seventh overall)

AAAA

1. Kiski (95.725, first overall)

2. Norwin (94.813, second overall)

3. Moon (92.875, third overall)

4. Hampton (90.200, fifth overall )

Elizabeth Forward and Trinity performed in the Festival Class.

The championships were the culmination of an eight-week season of six competitions held around the region. For more details about the scores (as they’re posted) and other information, visit http://www.pimba.org/championship-results.html.