Owasso High School Band Hosts Invitational Marching Contest

The 22nd Annual Owasso Invitational Marching Band Contest took place Saturday at Owasso High School. Schools from all over the state are competing again after the canceled contest last year.

17 Bands from across Oklahoma and some from Arkansas competed in the Owasso Invitational. It's a welcome return after covid took so much away from students last year.

"This means the world to our kids, I mean particularly my band, I just know for my kids they're so excited to get to do this again so I know that all the other directors and all the other kids from all these bands are feeling the same way. It's really great to be back,” said Owasso Band Director Chris Harris.

He says a lot of work goes into a competition like this.

"It's hundreds and hundreds of people, our students included, that are running this whole show, I'm basically just sitting in the press box and taking care of the score sheets,” said Harris.

One of the bands competing was Stillwater High School. Students performed a piece called Cathedrals. Senior Kadyn Casteel is the Center Drum Major.

"I think it went really well, I'm really excited to be back, I'm glad I have my senior marching season, and I'm really excited about our show, I think it's going in a good direction, said Casteel.

She says she was disappointed when marching band contests were canceled last year, but is glad to be back.

"It means so much to me, the marching band and just band in general has really made my high school experience and I'm glad that my last year I get to really top it off doing what I love the most,” Casteel said.

Now she's hoping to end her senior year on a high note.