Wyandotte Hosts 8th Annual Downriver Fanfare High School Marching Band Competition

Marching bands from throughout the region will showcase their skills at the eighth annual Downriver Fanfare beginning at 5 p.m. today at Roosevelt High School.

The show is expected to last about four hours, concluding with an awards ceremony and a post awards reception on the field.

This is the eighth year that the Wyandotte Marching Chiefs have hosted the event.

"We are happy to host our neighboring bands, and provide them a great performance venue with a beautiful field as their stage on which to present their 2012 marching band shows," the Wyandotte Music Department said on its website.

In addition to the Wyandotte Marching Chiefs and the Wilson Middle School Marching Warriors, this year's participants include bands from several high schools, including Flat Rock, John Glenn, Lincoln Park, Southgate, Taylor Truman, Taylor Kennedy, Gibraltar Carlson, Summit Academy and Woodhaven.

"Each band has spent countless hours preparing for their fall marching band season," band volunteer Phillip Dajos said. "Our students are determined to make this season their best ever. Come support local music and enjoy the show."

The Eastern Michigan University Eagle Marching Band also will perform a special exhibition during the event.

Awards will be given for first, second and third place in each category by school size, along with other specialized awards.

The bands will be judged on musical effect, musical performance, visual effect, marching performance, percussion and auxiliary.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. For more information, visit the Downriver Fanfare 2012 website.

The show also will be broadcast live online.