More than 2,400 student musicians playing in 25 of the state’s finest high school marching bands will compete in the Fourth Annual Putnam City Marching Classic on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Putnam City Stadium, 5300 N.W. 50th.
Preliminary competition begins at 9 a.m. Finals competition, in which the top 12 bands participate, will begin at 7 p.m. Awards ceremonies will begin about 10 p.m.
The contest is the only one of its kind held in central Oklahoma, says Kory Isaac, president of the Putnam City Music Contest Association (PCMCA).
"For people in the Oklahoma City area, this is their only chance to conveniently enjoy the sounds, pageantry, excitement and display of young talent that are a part of a band contest," Isaac says.
The contest has drawn entries from class 2A, 4A, 5A and 6A schools. Bands from all three Putnam City high schools will perform, although they will not compete for awards. Tickets, which may be purchased at the gate, cost $5. Concession stands will be open to provide food for spectators.
"This will be an amazing musical event, with award-winning bands playing music from all genres, accompanied by drill teams and flag corps providing extra color and excitement. This is topnotch competition that will bring out the highest levels of achievement in visual performance and musical excellence," Isaac says.
Spectator parking for the event is in lots at N.W. 41st and Grove. Shuttle buses will pick up spectators in the lots about every five minutes. Should those lots fill up, additional spectator parking will be at Victory Christian Church at 42nd and MacArthur.
The Putnam City Marching Classic is sponsored by Putnam City Schools and the PCMCA. The PCMCA is composed of band directors, parents and other constituents from the Putnam City High School, Putnam City West High School and Putnam City North High School areas. The contest is sanctioned by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association.