LEBANON — Fifteen bands from Missouri and Illinois took part in the Eighth Annual Belleville East Marching Band Invitational, held Saturday at Leemon Field at McKendree University.
The overall grand champion, based on most points awarded, was Fort Zumwalt North, of O'Fallon, Mo.
The Leroy Kirsh Crowd Appeal Award, named for the late Belleville East Band director, was given to Rockwood Summit of Fenton, Mo.
The Overall 2012 Spirit Award went to Freeburg.
The bands competed across three categories based on school size.
In Class A, the following awards were given:
* First Place: Marquette High School, of Chesterfield, Mo.
* Second Place: Wesclin High School, of Trenton.
* Third Place: Carterville High School, of Carterville.
In addition, Marquette won awards for best music, best effect, best percussion and best auxiliary, or colorguard.
In Class AA, the following awards were given:
* First Place: Alton High School, Alton.
* Second Place: Collinsville High School, Collinsville.
* Third Place: Centralia High School, Centralia.
Alton won for best music, best effect and best percussion. Collinsville won for best auxiliary.
In Class AAA, the following awards were given:
* First Place: Fort Zumwalt North High School, O'Fallon, Mo.
* Second Place: Rockwood Summit High School, Fenton, Mo.
* Third Place: Arnold High School, Arnold, Mo.
Fort Zumwalt also won awards for best music, best effect and best auxiliary. Rockwood Summit won for best percussion.
