St. Clairsville band heads to State Marching Band Finals
ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The St. Clairsville High School Marching Band is set to enchant audiences at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Marching Band Finals after a season filled with remarkable accomplishments.
Under the guidance of Justin Schwertfeger, this 60-member ensemble clinched first place in their class at every OMEA competition this year, achieving their highest score ever — outperforming even much larger bands with memberships up to three times their size. The St. Clairsville High School Red Devil Marching Band is excited to present their acclaimed show, “Mirror, Mirror,” at the OMEA State Competition on Saturday, Nov. 2. This season has seen the Red Devils create an unprecedented record of success, consistently capturing first place and winning over audiences with their captivating performances.
Led by drum majors Kady Morgan (senior) and Kimber St. Clair (junior), the band immerses viewers in a world of wonder with their 2024 show, “Mirror, Mirror.” Inspired by the enchantment of the Evil Queen and her infamous mirror, the show weaves a tale where beauty and darkness intertwine. The highlight is a stunning magic mirror prop, which acts as a gateway to a story that’s both intriguing and haunting, earning accolades in auxiliary (guard), percussion, and visual performance. The band’s success is a testament to the hard work of the student performers, supportive parent volunteers, and dedicated staff members: Lakin Weaver, Rob McEwen (percussion) and Becca Schwertfeger (guard).
This marks the band’s ninth consecutive qualification for the state finals since 2015. Following last year’s impressive performance, where they ranked 10th in class at the esteemed Bands of America Grand National Championships, the Red Devils are eager to leave an even bigger mark on the state’s premier stage. They will take the field at Medina High School at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
The Red Devil Marching Band also celebrated a significant achievement at the highly competitive Regional Bands of America (BOA) competition, where they placed third and won Best Visuals, all while performing in 102-degree heat.
Beyond their numerous accolades, the St. Clairsville Red Devils qualified for the OMEA State Competition at every event this season. They are thrilled to bring their captivating show, “Mirror, Mirror,” to the state level, showcasing a season of unforgettable achievements and community pride.
The band would like to extend heartfelt thanks to their title sponsor, Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, whose steadfast support has been instrumental in making this storybook season a reality! For a complete list of sponsors, visit the band at www.stcbands.com.
For more information on the state finals, visit www.omea-ohio.org.