Marching Patriots finish 7th

It’s a tough field out there.
Jay County High School’s Marching Patriots put their hearts and souls into another Marsh Band Day at the Indiana State Fair Friday, coming away with a seventh-place finish in a contest that saw Winchester Community High School repeat as number one.
Judging results were announced about 11:20 p.m. Friday night after a long, hot day.
Final results put Winchester in first place with 91.65 points. Muncie Southside was second with 90.15. Richmond placed third with 90.1 points.
That’s the same order in which the bands placed during the day’s preliminary competition and the same order as last year’s band day.
Northeastern was fourth with 87.75 point, Centerville was fifth with 87.35 points, East Central was sixth with 85.9 points, while the Marching Patriots had 83.5 points in seventh place.
Anderson was eighth with 81.25 points, Noblesville ninth with 80.7 and Franklin tenth with 79.65.
Muncie Central was eleventh with 78.95 points, Kokomo was twelfth with 77.6 points, Union County was thirteenth with 75.3 points, Yorktown was fourteenth with 74.55 points, Mooresville was fifteenth with 74.15 points, and Elwood Community High School rounded out the “Sweet 16” with 71.65 points.
“The difference is we have a lot more competitive bands this summer,” said band director Kelly Smeltzer of Jay County’s placement throughout the season.
Smeltzer said this year’s show, “Fusion” was a new endeavor for the band as a contemporary show.
“It’s based on a contemporary concept of taking two opposite ideas, stating them musically and visually and then also putting them together,” he said.
Despite the gruelingly hot summer, Smeltzer said band members have stepped up and delivered.
“Excellent group of kids,” he said. “This had been one of the hottest summers we’ve had in 20-plus years. Every time we ask them to dig a little deeper, no complaints. I’m really pleased with the kids’ attitudes and their efforts this year.”

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