Numbers point to big weekend for Lake Orion marching band

The Lake Orion Dragon Marching Band will attempt to top their finish from a year ago at the Michigan Competing Band Association’s state finals this Saturday at Ford Field.
The band finished third in the state last year in Flight I (schools with enrollment of 1,743 students or more), their best ever finish.
They are currently third on the Championship Average Scores (CAS) chart, which combines a band’s top two performances.
Lake Orion’s 81.45 average is behind only Plymouth-Canton (86.65) and West Bloomfield (82.00), though Lake Orion beat West Bloomfield by nearly three points last weekend in head-to-head combination at Huron Valley.
‘It’s not a sport where worrying about the other bands is going to help your performance,? Director Michael Steele said of Lake Orion’s position. ‘Our goal is to produce our best video at the end of the season.?
In spite of some tough weather conditions, the band took first place at the Huron Valley Invitational with a season-best 82.35 mark (Grand Blanc was second, more than two points back). The Dragons also won the Plymouth-Canton competition earlier this season.
At Ford Field, the bands perform in inverse order of their CAS. The flight starts at 9:50 a.m., with Lake Orion taking the field to perform ‘The Per7ect Number? at 11:35 a.m. (followed by West Bloomfield and Plymouth-Canton) and the awards at 12:20 p.m.
‘It’s a show that has a number of different levels where it can be enjoyed,? Steele said ‘It’s very energetic and we have some very beautiful music.?
He said the color guard has been particularly impressive this season as well.
Steele also gave thanks to some 30 adult volunteers which have helped to make every performance for the 156-member band run smoothly.
Tickets for the full day of competition (four flights) are $16 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. Parking is $6 at the Ford Field parking facilities.
For more information, visit www.michcompband.org.

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