JAMES BOWIE CLAIMS GRAND MASTER’S TROPHY

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA FIESTA BOWL NATIONAL BAND CHAMPIONSHIP

TEMPE, Ariz. – James Bowie High School won the coveted Grand Master’s Trophy tonight at the 27^th Annual Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship.

From coast to coast, 13 of the nation’s top marching bands competed on Thursday during an all-day musical competition at Bank One Ballpark. 

Music enthusiasts watched and listened as the 241-member James Bowie High School performed their show with selections including “Mysteries of the 5^th Sun” featuring the music of Alberto Ginastera arranged by Ryan George.

“It was a beautiful evening of musical and visual presentation.  The performances were absolutely stunning and the maturity level of these high school students is truly remarkable,” Fiesta Bowl Board of Director Dick Stemple said.

The Outdoor Performing ensemble was initially created in 2001, upon the arrival of the current band director, Mr. Bruce Dinkins.  In just four years they have established themselves as one of the best bands in the nation.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Honor Band and Arizona’s own Mountain Pointe High School Lionhearts Marching Band performed in the in preliminary earlier this afternoon and qualified for the evening’s final competition. 

The 27^th Annual Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship award winners are as follows:

Grand Master
	First Place	JAMES BOWIE
	Second Place	HOMESTEAD
	Third Place	LINCOLN-WAY EAST
	Fourth Place	NICEVILLE
	Fifth Place	TRABUCO HILLS
Drum Major
	First Place	TRABUCO HILLS
	Second Place	JAMES BOWIE
Percussion
	First Place	HOMESTEAD
	Second Place	JAMES BOWIE
Auxiliary
	First Place	TRABUCO HILLS
	Second Place	HOMESTEAD
Marching-Visual Performance
	First Place	JAMES BOWIE
	Second Place	HOMESTEAD
General Effect
	First Place	JAMES BOWIE
	Second Place	HOMESTEAD
Music Performance
	First Place	JAMES BOWIE
	Second Place	HOMESTEAD
Audience Appeal
	First Place	LINCOLN-WAY EAST