Southeastern hosts John Parnell Marching Band Contest Saturday

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
September 25, 2008

DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University will host the 4th annual John Parnell Memorial Marching Band Contest Saturday at Paul Laird Field.

Preliminaries begin at 10 a.m. with 26 bands from Oklahoma and Texas.

Parnell was a long-time band director at Durant High School and the marching contest is a tribute to his memory.

Bands will compete in Classes A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

Southeastern band director Mike Raleigh said, "John Parnell was a really fine band director and he dealt well with students. He was also a fine musician."

The Southeastern marching band will present an exhibition performance at 5 p.m. prior to the announcement of the preliminary winners.

Finals will start at 7 p.m. and the Durant High School band will present an exhibition at 9:30 p.m.

Winners will be announced at 10 p.m.

Admission is $2 per person and approximately 4,000 people are expected to attend the contest.