MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) will sponsor the 2nd annual West Virginia Governor’s Cup Marching Band Series, which will consist of 12 local marching band competitions across the state, culminating in the 11th annual West Virginia Marching Band Invitational (WVMBI) held at Laidley Field, University of Charleston Stadium, in Charleston each fall and hosted by the WVDACH. John Marshall High School will host the first competition in the series, the John Marshall High School Marching Band Showcase, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, beginning at 10 a.m.
Ten bands will compete in the competition, and the top bands will receive monetary awards. The WVDACH will present $1,000 to the grand champion, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up, and the winner in each of four classes based on band size – A, B, C and D – at each contest. A list of competing bands in the first competition is below.
The 2022 Governor’s Cup Series helps promote the department’s educational Save The Music Foundation program, which provides free musical instruments to middle schools throughout West Virginia and allows the department to distribute prize money to high school bands.
“The WVDACH looks forward to the WVMBI each year and we are very excited about the second year of the Governor’s Cup Series. Our hope is to continue awarding funds to help with success in promoting marching bands across the Mountain State,” said WVDACH Curator Randall Reid-Smith. “We also are proud to continue our partnership with the Save The Music Foundation to provide instruments to middle schools across the state, which subsequently keeps students’ involved in music and helps build band programs at the high school level.”
Bands will collect points by competing in at least four local competitions along with the West Virginia Marching Band Invitational Championship and Governor’s Cup Series final on Oct. 29 to be eligible to win the overall Governor’s Cup and more prize money. The Governor’s Cup final will award $3,250 to the grand champion; $2,000 to the 1st runner-up; $1,000 to the 2nd runner-up; $750 to the 3rd runner-up; and $500 to the 4th runner-up.
For more information on the Governor’s Cup Series, contact the department at (304) 558-0220.
Marching Bands Performing at John Marshall High School
Class A
Cabell Midland High School, Ona, Cabell County
Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, Wood County
Class B
Capital High School, Charleston, Kanawha County
Philip Barbour High School, Philippi, Barbour County
Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, Ohio County
Class C
Paden City High School, Paden City, Wetzel County
Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, Wood County
Ravenswood High School, Ravenswood, Jackson County
Williamstown High School, Williamstown, Wood County
Class D
Wyoming East High School, Richmond, Wyoming County
Governor’s Cup Series Schedule
Sept. 10, 2022 – John Marshall High School “John Marshall High School Marching Band Showcase”
Sept. 17, 2022 – Cabell Midland High School “A Knight at the Round Table”
Sept. 24, 2022 – (Morning) Hurricane High School “Whirlwind of Music”
Sept. 24, 2022 – (Afternoon/Evening) Poca High School “Heritage Day Festival”
Oct. 1, 2022 – (Morning) Wyoming East High School “Warrior Classic”
Oct. 1, 2022 – (Afternoon/Evening) Princeton Senior High School “Southern Thunder”
Oct. 8, 2022 – (Morning) Parkersburg South High School “Patriot Invitational”
Oct. 8, 2022 – (Afternoon/Evening) Parkersburg High School “PHS Jim Kessell Marching Band Festival”
Oct. 15, 2022 – (Morning) Greenbrier East High School “Spartan Classic”
Oct. 15, 2022 – (Afternoon) Musselman High School “Big Apple Marching Band Festival”
Oct. 22, 2022 – (Morning) Buckhannon-Upshur High School “Buccaneer Marching Band Festival”
Oct. 22, 2022 – (Afternoon/Evening) Philip Barbour High School “Horseshoe Classic”
Oct. 29, 2022 – (ALL DAY) Charleston – The West Virginia Marching Band Invitational and the Governor’s Cup Series Finals