High school bands from across the northeast Louisiana region will participate in the District 1 Band Directors Association High School Marching Band Festival on Oct. 31 in Malone Stadium at ULM. Performances begin at 5:20 p.m.

Not only are these marching band festivals incredible to watch, they are great learning experiences for the bands, said Derle Long, director of Bands at ULM.

“These festivals are not competitions among the bands. Instead, each ensemble is evaluated on a standard that incorporates the many aspects of marching band performance, such as tone quality, drill design, marching execution, general effect, to name just a few. They are basically competing with themselves to see if they can execute the best possible performance.”

ULM's Sound of Today band members will serve as guides, judge assistants, and sideline crew members during the festival. After all of the high school bands finish performing, Sound of Today will perform at approximately 8 p.m.

Participating high school bands include: Ouachita Christian School, Sterlington High School, Jena High School, Caldwell Parish High School, Ouachita Parish High School, West Ouachita High School, Ruston High School and West Monroe High School. Bands will perform in front of a panel of judges composed of high school and college band directors from across the four-state area. Bands will receive ratings ranging from “Division One” (the highest rating) to “Division Four.”

ULM students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid ULM ID. Admission for the general public is $3.

Please see the schedule below.