Seventeen bands, led by the Bradford Area High School Marching
Owls, put on an entertaining show Saturday at the 29th annual
Autumn Classic competition at Parkway Field.
“It was awesome. It was just a great day,” Bradford High band
director Kathy Thumpston said Sunday afternoon.
While Thumpston, in her ninth year with Bradford, didn’t have an
exact attendance number, she did say the turnout was impressive.
Thumpston is a Bradford High alumna who performed in the Autumn
Classic herself years ago while playing with the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania band during a special appearance.
Her band’s “Thriller”-themed show went over well, as the band’s
tribute to Michael Jackson’s hit song and music video got rave
reviews, according to Thumpston. And yes, the infamous “Thriller”
dance was performed.
“The crowd reaction was great,” she said.
Bradford High also performed “Beetlejuice,” the ice dance from
the movie “Edward Scissorhands,” and “Night on Bald Mountain,” from
the animated film “Fantasia.” They combined to give a spooky,
Halloween vibe to the band’s act.
“I just want to thank the band boosters and the kids for a job
very well done,” Thumpston said.
Bradford chose to perform in exhibition, in part so that the
band was allowed to perform last in front of its home crowd.
Because of this decision, the school was not eligible for any
awards.
The Seneca marching band took top honors in the Class A
competition, netting the Best Winds, Best Percussion, Best
Auxiliary, Best Music and Best General Effect awards. Eisenhower
took second, followed by Erie All-City, Kane, Corry, Otto-Eldred,
Sheffield, Ridgway, Port Allegany and Coudersport.
Elk County Catholic was the lone Class AA participant.
In Class AAA, Cochranton was the only competing school. Both
Bradford and Cameron County performed in exhibition.
Open Class entrant Erie McDowell took first in that category,
bagging the Best Winds, Best Percussion, Best Auxiliary, and Best
Music honors. Iroquois was second, winning Best General Effect, and
Fort LeBeouf was third.
