More than 2,000 student musicians playing in 22 high school marching bands will take part in the Sixth Annual Putnam City Marching Classic on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Putnam City Stadium, 5300 N.W. 50th.

Preliminary competition begins at 10:45 a.m. Finals competition, in which the top 12 bands participate, will begin at 7 p.m. Awards ceremonies will begin about 10:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $8 each.

"This year’s event continues our tradition of bringing in outstanding high school marching bands for exciting, colorful competition. This is an event that will bring out the best in these talented young musicians and create a great spectacle for everyone who comes out to watch them perform," says Tom Libby, director of the Putnam City Music Contest Association (PCMCA).

Free spectator parking for the event is in lots at N.W. 41st and Grove, about eight blocks south and two blocks west of the stadium. Free shuttle buses will pick up spectators in the lots about every five minutes. Stadium concession stands will be open to provide food for spectators.

A new feature in the classic this year is an exhibition performance by a university band, the Pride Marching Band of Texas A&M at Commerce. The band will perform at 2:45 p.m.

"We have very fine high school bands competing in the classic, but the size and quality of a college marching band kicks things up another notch and gives our crowds something else to enjoy," says Libby.

The Putnam City Marching Classic is sponsored by Putnam City Schools and the PCMCA. The PCMCA is composed of band directors, parents and others from the Putnam City High School, Putnam City West High School and Putnam City North High School communities. The contest is sanctioned by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association.

Preliminary Competition

10:45 a.m., Putnam City High School (exhibition only)

11 a.m., Western Heights

11:15 a.m., Edmond Santa Fe

11:30 a.m., Norman North

11:45 a.m., Ponca City

1 p.m., Canyon, TX

1:15 p.m., Tecumseh

1:30 p.m., Randall, TX

1:45 p.m., Enid

2 p.m., Broken Arrow

2:15 p.m., Ada

2:30 p.m., Duncan

2:45 p.m., Texas A&M at Commerce (exhibition only)

3 p.m., Shawnee

3:15 p.m., Mustang

3:30 p.m., Yukon

3:45 p.m., Carl Albert

4 p.m., Edmond Memorial

4:15 p.m., Guthrie

4:30 p.m., Piedmont

4:45 p.m., Midwest City

6:45 p.m., Putnam City West (exhibition only)

10 p.m., Putnam City North (exhibition only)

Finals
7 p.m.