SOUTH POINT, OH (WOWK) -- The South Point High School "Band of Gold" is taking the national stage in Indianapolis this week, competing against more than 100 high school bands at the Bands of America Grand Nationals.
The South Point, Ohio-based band is coming off an impressive local competition season, capturing top honors at several regional competitions, including the Tri-State competition at Marshall University.
Band members have been preparing for weeks, motivated by the chance to showcase their skills on one of the country’s most prestigious stages for high school bands, Lucas Oil Stadium.
The South Point band is scheduled to perform in the preliminary competition on Thursday.
Freshman Clarinet player Whitney Majher says the band's growth has been a positive thing to experience this season.
"Seeing how much we've progressed from the first day to the last, it's just an amazing opportunity," she said.
"It takes a lot of dedication and time, so much effort. It's a touch of talent but, really, it's just all hope," band member Ben Michaels said.
The band hopes to post a score high enough to continue into the second round of the contest but that result won't be known until Friday night.
The Band of Gold is led by teacher and band director David Edwards and the show is entitled, "Discovery."
Parents and local supporters will travel to Indianapolis on Wednesday along with the students to help set up and cheer them on.
The band's last appearance at BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis was in 2002.