GHS Marching Band Excels in Competition Again

The Gateway High School Marching Band is on a roll. After two first-place finishes in competitions in western Pennsylvania, Gateway traveled to theBands of America (BOA) Regional Championships in Massillon, Ohio, onSaturday, September 27, 2008 where it captured sixth-place overall. Held in the historic Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, the contest attracted 22 marchingbands from eight states. In addition to winning sixth-place overall, Gatewayreceived the Highest Achievement Award for Outstanding Music Performance forClass AA bands and was the Second-Place Award winner in Class AA. "This outstanding showing is the culmination of months of hard work andpreparation," said Robert A. Read, director of the Gateway High School Marching Band. "BOA attracts the best in marching band talent. This is our highest placement todate at BOA and the first time Gateway has received honors in Class AAcompetition." Gateway plans to build on the success it achieved in Massillon. "Weconstantly strive to improve, and that philosophy will help us prepare forour remaining contests in the season," noted Mr. Read. The upcoming events include the 2008 Pennsylvania Interscholastic MarchingBand Association (PIMBA) Championships on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Antimarino Stadium in Monroeville. Twenty-four marching bands from throughout western Pennsylvania will compete in five divisions at the PIMBA Championships. On Nov. 12-16, Gateway will compete at the BOA Grand National Championships in Indianapolis.