31st Annual Philo Band Challenge

PHILO, Ohio – The 31^st annual Philo Band Challenge kicked off Saturday night at Sam Hatfield Stadium.

Eleven bands from around the area were in Philo to be judged by the Ohio Music Education Association. Rehearsals ran throughout the summer, and this is typically the first challenge for most of the schools this season.

Philo Band Boosters member, Thasia Schilling, said it is exciting, but has been kind of intimidating for bands in the past.

“The point is to get a good enough score to go to state at the end. Being the first one, it can be intimidating, but we have great weather. Each year, the bands have gotten more prepared to get started and see where they can be,” said Schilling.

The Philo Challenge is a ratings only competition. Judges assess what parts of the show needs work, and the good parts as well. This helps each band make changes for upcoming competitions.

Assistant Band Director at Warren Local Schools, Stephen R. Collins, said there would be judges for music, marching, general effect, percussion, and auxiliary.

“They will get a rating and feedback through a tape recorder we can listen to, and then go through the score sheets,” said Collins.

All bands at the challenge hope to score well enough to qualify for the state competition later this year.