College of Fine Arts and Design

Oct. 1, 2010

The University of Central Oklahoma will host the Invitational Marching Band Festival "Stampede Showdown" from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 in UCO's Wantland Stadium.

 The sixth-annual, day-long festival will feature 20 high school bands from around the state, including marching bands from Bartlesville, Midwest City, Tulsa, Ponca City, Norman, Choctaw and Edmond.

 "The bands will play a variety of music from cutting edge, new and contemporary to jazz and classical," said David Hanan, UCO associate director of bands.

 Hanan said the judges will evaluate the bands on individual and ensemble performance and well as general effectiveness.

 The finals, featuring the top 12 bands, will begin at 7 p.m. The night will conclude with an exhibition by the 125-member UCO "Stampede of Sound" Marching Band.  

 Last year, Edmond North's marching band finished runner-up in the competition.

 "We enjoy coming to the UCO band competition because it is right here in Edmond. It allows all of our parents to come and be a part of the program and support the students. It also allows us to support our local university and give back to them," said Steven Fry, Edmond North band director.

 Hanan believes in the reciprocal community relationship between universities and high schools.

 "We host this festival mostly in part as a service to Oklahoma high schools. And we also look at this as a recruitment opportunity: any time you can get nearly 3000 students in one place.that's a good thing!" said Hanan.

 Tickets are available at the gate the day of the festival. All-day passes are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 to 12. Tickets for the finals are $7 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12. Children age 4 and younger are free.

 For more information, contact Hanan at (405) 974-3428.