The Shelbyville Marching Rams completed its competition season as Overall Grand Champions in the Field Show last weekend at Atwood-Hammond.

The Marching Rams also brought home 10 other awards: percussion - 1st in parade, 2nd in field show; drum majors - 2nd in parade, 2nd in field show; colorguard - 1st in parade, 1st in field show; band - 1st in music in parade, 1st in music in field show; Class B overall band awards - 1st in parade competition, 1st in field show competition.

“Class B overall awards are the compilation of scores which include marching style, general effect, intonation, interpretation, and a number of other areas for bands in Class B only,” said Band Booster President Anita Breeden.

“Overall grand champion does not deliniate between each class of bands. In this case, a class B band can win over a Class A or AA band - and we did,” Breeden said.

The marching band returned to competition last year under the guidance of band instructor A.G. Gatewood.

“We went to a few competitions to observe and then last year started back with the competition,” Gatewood said.

“It’s been a steady growth - pushing the basics and fundamentals,” he said. “The best part is this is a good, dedicated group. We have also been hearing a lot of good comments from the community. There’s been good community support.”

Okaw Valley Marching Timberwolves also brought home its fair share of awards from its competition at Pinckneyville last weekend.

“The Timberwolves were up against a very tough Class A competition consisting of high schools from Sparta, Johnson City and Elsberry,” said Band Booster Kevin Herron.

In the field show, the Timberwolves a 3rd place rating in Marching and Maneuvering, and Auxiliary; 2nd place in show, percussion, and drum major. In the parade they placed 3rd in drum major, 2nd in percussion, 1st place in auxiliary, and 1st overall.