MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) will sponsor the 3rd annual West Virginia Governor’s Cup Marching Band Series, which will consist of nine local marching band competitions across the state and the 12th annual West Virginia Marching Band Invitational (WVMBI). John Marshall High School will host the first competition in the series, the John Marshall High School Marching Band Showcase, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m.
Five bands will compete in the competition, and the top bands will receive monetary awards. The WVDACH will present a total of $1,500 to the grand champion, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up, and the winner in each class based on band size – A, B, C and D – at each contest. A list of competing bands in the first competition is below.
The 2023 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 third 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. 21 to be eligible to win the overall Governor’s Cup and more prize money. The Governor’s Cup final will award $5,000 to the grand champion; $3,000 to the 1st runner-up; $1,500 to the 2nd runner-up; $1,000 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
Phillip Barbour High School, Phillipi, 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
Williamstown High School, Williamstown, Wood County
Governor’s Cup Series Schedule
Sept. 9, 2023 – John Marshall High School “John Marshall High School Marching Band Showcase”
Sept. 16, 2023 – Cabell Midland High School “A Knight at the Round Table”
Sept. 23, 2023 – Hurricane High School “Whirlwind of Music”
Sept. 30, 2023 – Parkersburg High School “PHS Jim Kessell Marching Band Festival”
Oct. 7, 2023 – (Morning) Greenbrier East High School “Spartan Classic”
Oct. 7, 2023 – (Afternoon) Princeton Senior High School “Southern Thunder”
Oct. 14, 2023 – (Morning) Petersburg High School “Viking Classic”
Oct. 14, 2023 – (Afternoon) Musselman High School “Big Apple Marching Band Festival”
Oct. 21, 2023 – Philip Barbour High School “Horseshoe Classic” AND The West Virginia Marching Band Invitational and Governor’s Cup Series Finals