The Green Level Marching Band is marching its way into the national spotlight this fall after a strong showing in Florida and an upcoming appearance at the Bands of America (BOA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship in Delaware.
On October 17th, the band got up bright and early in order to embark on their trip. The band traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the Bands of America Orlando Regional Prelims at Camping World Stadium. This event drew top high school marching bands from across the Southeast, giving Green Level the opportunity to perform alongside some of the most competitive programs in the country.
Under the direction of Brian Myers, the band presented its show with precision and artistry, earning praise from spectators and judges. The trip to Florida marked one of the band’s biggest performances yet and served as a milestone for the program that has quickly built a reputation for excellence.
“This group of individuals have worked so hard this season and I couldn’t be more proud. Being able to compete in Orlando definitely helped with their confidence and is contributing to their progression,” stated Meyers.
While in Orlando, the Gators did not actually place in the finals, but Sophomore Emaline Henry explained that this competition wasn’t about the actual score, but about the entire experience the trip brought.
“It was so fascinating to watch all of the other, better bands at this BOA competition. We don’t get to see Florida bands normally, and getting to see some that are the best in the country was really fun and different to watch. Marching bands are a way bigger part of their culture in Florida and Texas than in North Carolina, so it is always inspiring to see the larger amounts of effort and money these schools put into it,” says Henry.
After the conclusion of the BOA competition in Florida, the Gators were rewarded with a fun and eventful day in Universal Studios. This day served as a treat and prize for all of the students’ long hours finally paying off.
On Saturday, October 25th, the Green Level band will travel to Newark, Delaware, in order to compete in the Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship. This competition is lasting only a day, with preliminaries beginning at 7:30am, and concluding with finals at 7:30pm.
“We’re really looking forward to trying to place in the finals, or definitely do a little better than we did. We now have all of the information from Orlando that is going to help us perfect our performance and impress the judges more. This competition is definitely a little more challenging, but I definitely think we are ready for what is ahead of us,” Henry explained.
Alongside Green Level, there will be 39 other bands, including Apex Friendship and Green Hope both being in the Quad City 7 Conference, and Smithfield-Selma and Enloe, two other competitive NC schools.
As the band’s competitive season is winding down, their focus remains on growth, unity, and excellence. Every rehearsal, practice, and performance has brought the students closer together, not just as musicians, but as a team built on dedication and strong goals.
No matter the results in Delaware, the experience itself will stand out as a defining moment for the Green Level Band. Being able to take the field among some of the nation’s best can serve as both an achievement and inspiration. As the final notes of the season begin to ring out, there is one thing for certain: the future of the Green Level band is incredibly bright.
