Ferndale Marching Band Places 2nd in State Finals

The Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band earned second place in the Michigan Competing Band Association championships on Saturday.

The event, which took place at Ford Field, featured 48 high school marching bands from Michigan.

The Ferndale High School marching band was awarded 86.9 points, which is the highest they have ever earned in competition, according to district community relations director Stephanie Hall.

The score earned them the second place ranking in Flight III, coming in behind former Flight II band Reeths Puffer, from Muskegon. Hall said Reeths Puffer entered Flight III this year when their high school size decreased.

The Golden Eagle Marching Band performed their show "Darkest Before the Dawn," which combines a "richly arranged and challenging musical score with impeccable color guard and marching," Hall said.

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The marching band, under the direction of FHS teacher Elon Jamison, has been the state champion seven of the past nine years, with top third or second finishes the other two years.

Ferndale Schools have been named one of the best communities for music education in the nation the past two years by the NAMM Foundation. Hall said this is in recognition "not only of award-winning programs, but also of the comprehensive k-12 music programs, exceptional music educators, and school district and community support."