Plymouth-Canton band is ranked in top 12
Nov. 21, 2012 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
The Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band (PCMB) was among the 12 national finalists in the 2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 10. The Plymouth-Canton band, the only Michigan band to be included in the prestigious list of 12 high school bands, made its twenty-second appearance as a National Finalist in the 36-year history of Bands of America. More than 500 marching bands participate in Bands of America competitions leading up to the 4-day annual event in Indianapolis, Ind. Carmel High School from Indiana was named the Grand National Champion.
The Plymouth-Canton Marching Band, let by Director of Bands David Armbruster and Associate Director Jonathan Thomann, came in 12th place out of 87 bands last Saturday evening. The 172-member band wowed the audience with the 9-minute pro- gram titled “The Last Dance” particularly when a giant grey shroud depicting a dark cloud was pulled over the entire band and across the stadium field. The music in the program included “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce.
This year, the Plymouth-Canton band also reclaimed their Flight I State Championship status on Nov. 3 at Ford Field. The Plymouth-Canton musicians also were named Bands of America Pontiac Regional Champions on Oct. 6.
“Everyone’s floating on cloud nine right now,” exclaimed Armbruster after the award. “It was a very good year for the band. They set some really high goals and they achieved them.”
The students returned from their trip on Sunday afternoon to cheers, banners, and car horns. With unseasonable warm weather, the Plymouth High School parking lot was transformed into a second celebration as the students disembarked the buses, unloaded equipment and props, gathered their luggage, instruments, and finally headed home. But first, the Plymouth-Canton Drumline did one final presentation for the crowd of students and parents gathered around.
Along with Plymouth-Canton, three additional Michigan bands participated in the Grand National Semi-Finals including Jenison High School, Rockford High School and Walled Lake Central High School.
The Plymouth Canton High School Marching Band comprises 172 students from Plymouth, Canton and Salem High schools. In 1990, 1991, and 1999 PCMB was named Grand National Champions at the Bands of America National Competition, earning the first place title over 93 other bands from across the nation.
