Second 'First Place' Earned by Eureka Marching Band

Eureka High School's Wildcat Pride Marching Band captured first place for the second time in the past few weeks at the Park Hills, MO, competition this weekend.

band competed among 18 total groups.

"This was the tenth time we have been to the Park Hills Marching Band Festival, but only the second time we have placed first," said Eureka band director John Arata.

They performed a program called “An American Rhapsody,” which features American composer George Gershwin. Arata said the arrangement includes music from his “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “An American In Paris.”

This year's Eureka Wildcat Marching Pride band is the biggest it has ever been at 165 members. "We are one of the bigger bands because we don’t limit our membership to nonathletes, even football players and cheerleaders," said Arata. "Coaches at EHS are great about coordinating schedules and providing many opportunities to EHS students."

Eureka's accompanying colorguard features 19 girls. They are the current state champions in Scholastic C, a division of a local circuit, the Mid-Continent Colorguard Association.

Earlier this month, Eureka band members also

Editor's Note:  Thanks to Dennis Albanello for sharing the accompanying photos of the band.