It was a form of musical chairs - without the chairs.

One group of young people, gleaming in their band uniforms, would get in a last-minute practice and then march off to competition followed by one band after another, all of them in hopes that underneath a less than accommodating sky, they would find perfection and acknowledgment of it.

The annual Ironton High School Buckeye Classic band competition brought 18 bands to Tanks Memorial Stadium, some from as far away as Pickerington and Circleville.

&#8220This is a chance for the bands to qualify for state competition,” said Ironton Band Boosters member Carla Marshall. The band boosters sponsor the annual event. &#8220They must get a ‘one' rating to qualify.”

The state band competition is the last weekend of October and first weekend of November each year.

As Chesapeake High School Band Director Chris Wyscarver worked with band members on the front lawn of the high school during last-minute practice, auxiliary advisor Lisa Smith perused the movement of the flag carriers while they waited for their turn to compete.

&#8220We work on technique every day,” she said. &#8220Judges know where their hands should be on that pole every minute.”

Chesapeake performed selections from &#8220Phantom of the Opera.”

South Point High School's Band of Gold performed selections from the movie &#8220Ray,” as did Ironton High School's Million Dollar Marching Band and the Boyd County, Ky., High School Marching Band.

As the band members went through their paces, Tammy Rowsey stood on the sidelines watching her daughter, Kayla, who plays the base drum for the South Point band.

&#8220Am I nervous? No,” mom said. &#8220She's good. I listened to them this morning and they're really sharp.”

Mom may not have been nervous by Kayla was &#8220a little.”

This is her first year in the band.

&#8220I can't wait to see if we win anything. I'm excited,” she said.

The event is also a fund-raiser for the band boosters. Marshall said she is proud of the way the community, particularly local businesses, support the Buckeye Classic each year - without their support, she said, the evening-long event would probably not be possible.” I can't say enough about local businesses. Big businesses, small businesses, they give a lot and I appreciate them. I appreciate the parents and I appreciate the band students.”

At the end of the evening, Green High School marched away with the grand champion trophy, followed by Pickerington Central as first runner up and Wellston as second runner up.

In the Class AA division, Pickerington was awarded first place; in Class A, South Point earned the top spot, followed by Boyd County, Ky. In Class B, the top five bands were Green, Wellston, Dawson-Bryant, West Falls and Minford. In Class C, the top three bands were Wheelersburg, Chesapeake and Symmes Valley.

A complete look at local bands heading to sate will appear later.