WEBB CITY, Mo. — The campus of Webb City High School had a festival atmosphere on Saturday with high school bands gathering from across the region for the annual Webbstock Marching Festival.

Bands were performing inside WCHS Cardinal Stadium, practicing at sites throughout school grounds and eating a midday lunch served by band parents to give the performers both physical and moral support.

In its eighth year, the daylong competition started at 9 a.m. and attracted bands from 25 schools in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Webbstock also drew thousands of spectators, including parents and friends watching the earlier preliminary contest and larger crowds to watch bands vying for final honors.

“It’s really a great experience for the local community to attend Webbstock and see these young, talented musicians performing,” said Jim Divine, director of bands at Webb City.

In addition to the competition, the program includes a clinic for band or band staff that provides feedback on a band’s music, marching and show design. In addition to overall band performances, honors are given for drum major, soloist, color guard, percussion and horn line.

The competition is popular with the bands, said Connie Salmon and Kim Groninger, parents of band members at Buffalo High School.

“It’s set up really well and everyone is friendly,” Groninger said.

The event demanded an early start for many of the bands whose members had performed at football games the night before.

“We had homecoming last night,” said Cindy Thomas, a parent helping set up a pizza lunch for members of the  Webb City competition

 attracts bands from area

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The campus of Webb City High School had a festival atmosphere on Saturday with high school bands gathering from across the region for the annual “Webbstock” Marching Festival.

Bands were performing inside WCHS Cardinal Stadium, practicing at sites throughout school grounds and eating a midday lunch served by band parents to give the performers both physical and moral support.

In its eighth year, the daylong competition started at 9 a.m. and attracted bands from 25 schools in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Webbstock also drew thousands of spectators, including parents and friends watching the earlier preliminary contest and larger crowds to watch bands vying for final honors.

“It’s really a great experience for the local community to attend Webbstock and see these young, talented musicians performing,” said Jim Divine, director of bands at Webb City.

In addition to the competition, the program includes a clinic for band or band staff that provides feedback on a band’s music, marching and show design. In addition to overall band performances, honors are given for drum major, soloist, color guard, percussion and horn line.

The competition is popular with the bands, said Connie Salmon and Kim Groninger, parents of band members at Buffalo High School.

“It’s set up really well and everyone is friendly,” Groninger said.

The event demanded an early start for many of the bands whose members had performed at football games the night before.

“We had homecoming last night,” said Cindy Thomas, a parent helping set up a pizza lunch for members of the Cassville High School band.

“There’ll be some naps this afternoon,” added Darrin McNeil, of Miami, Okla., one of the parents grilling hamburgers and hot dogs as lunch for the Miami Wardog Marching Band.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the Webb City band program. Competitions in the past have helped finance the band’s appearance at events including two Tournament of Roses parades. Band parents were out in force directing traffic and manning fundraising booths, selling everything from DVD recordings of band performances to food and clothing.

Jerri Sargent and Christina Tripp were selling band-themed T-shirts, including one that detailed the costs of being a band parent, including instrument, uniform, lessons and travel expenses.

“I’d buy one if I could afford it,” said Tripp, laughing.



Nurses

Stephanie Bracker and Kayte Dunaway, school nurses at Webb City, staffed a first aid booth to deal with any minor injures.



Cassville High School band.

“There’ll be some naps this afternoon,” added Darrin McNeil, of Miami, Okla., one of the parents grilling hamburgers and hot dogs as lunch for the Miami Wardog Marching Band.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the Webb City band program. Competitions in the past have helped finance the band’s appearance at events including two Tournament of Roses parades. Band parents were out in force directing traffic and manning fundraising booths, selling everything from DVD recordings of band performances to food and clothing.

Jerri Sargent and Christina Tripp were selling band-themed T-shirts, including one that detailed the costs of being a band parent, including instrument, uniform, lessons and travel expenses.

“I’d buy one if I could afford it,” said Tripp, laughing.



Nurses

Stephanie Bracker and Kayte Dunaway, school nurses at Webb City, staffed a first aid booth to deal with any minor injures.