The Battlefield High School Marching Band from Haymarket was the Grand Champion of the 26^th annual Oakton Classic, but the real winners were those who came out to listen to the 24 marching bands that came to Oakton High School on Oct. 16 to participate in the all-day, high-energy competition.

"The Oakton Classic is a time-honored tradition that brings together student musicians on a field of pageantry and skill, and provides them with an exciting opportunity to display their abilities outside of the classroom," said Denise Beach, co-chair and booster of the Oakton High School Marching Band. "Bands from all around Virginia—and even some from as far as West Virginia and North Carolina—take part in the competition before professional band adjudicators."

This year, the bands were judged on musical performance, marching and overall effect. Lake Braddock High School was awarded second, while West Carteret High School from Moorhead City, N.C., finished third.

"We had a performance that wasn't so hot before, but this year was like a big redemption for us because we did really well," said Josephine Smith with South County High School. "Not everyone can win a trophy, but we all felt like winners today."

The bands took a lot of time in creating shows around a particular theme, which combined with decorations, costumes and creative marching, made this a spectacular event.

"Our show is titled 'Out of the Cave,' and it's something we have worked really hard on all year," said Salma Abdel-Raheem, a band member from J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church. "At first it starts really dark and then it transitions to being really bright, and it's like, 'Yeah, we made it out.'"

Fairfax High School's David Robertson explained the Nautilus theme the band performed.

"It's an ocean-themed show where we started with a boat going out to sea, and then there's an attack and the journey home," he said. "Some people think that the bands just play songs, but there's a whole story that we create."

As a special guest, the Mountaineer Marching Band of West Virginia University ended the night with a truly inspirational show.

"Our show began with a lot of traditional pre-game songs, which is very intricate with our school songs mixed with John Denver's "Country Roads," and we make our state outline with our signature formation," said Jay Drury WVU's marching band director. "We like to get around the region as much as possible. I think this is important, because as educators, we want the students in high school to know there's another level for them when they go to college. I encourage them all to stick with it."

The Oakton Classic was staffed entirely by volunteers through the Oakton Band Boosters organization, with hundreds of parents and the band members themselves working throughout the day as hosts.

As the host band, the Oakton High School Marching Band was not allowed to compete, but they put on an exhibition with a show called "60s revolution," which featured the songs from Broadway musicals such as "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

"It was really fun, and we were there all day volunteering so we got to see all the bands," said freshman clarinet player Jay Pickett. "The one's at the end were very good, especially the West Virginia band."

Everyone agreed the Classic was a huge success and the musicians enjoyed meeting each other and seeing what the other bands in the state were doing with their marching bands.

"This is a great way to get our name out there and hopefully bring home a few trophies," said Emerson Freybler, a cymbal player from Brentsville District Marching Band from Nokesville. "It's great to see what other marching bands are doing."