Bourbon County Marching Colonels: A Legacy of Excellence at the Dunbar Invitational

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School campus was filled with the sounds of marching arts as bands from across the state competed in the 3rd Annual Dunbar Invitational. This KMEA-sanctioned contest is a crucial event for bands on their journey to the Kentucky Marching Band Championships (KMBC), and for the Bourbon County Marching Colonels, it proved to be a triumphant return to form.

A Great Start for the Marching Colonels

Under the leadership of returning band director Eric Hale, the Marching Colonels have already made a strong statement for the 2025 season, securing a class win in their very first competition.

Source: Myra Miller

A Dominant Performance

The Marching Colonels entered the competition as a formidable competitor in Class AAAA and lived up to all expectations. Their meticulous preparation and dedication were on full display, earning them a decisive victory in their class. They were awarded the caption awards for Best Overall Percussion and Best Overall Guard in Class AAAA, a testament to the band’s excellence in both musical and visual execution.

Their success continued into the finals, where they captivated the judges and audience alike. The band was awarded Best Overall Musical Performance, a highly coveted caption award that underscores the quality of their musicianship. Their show, known for its innovative design and unwavering precision, earned them the title of Reserve Grand Champion for the entire event, taking second to Lafayette High School Band by .4 points, cementing their status as one of Kentucky’s premier marching ensembles.

The Competition and Judging

The Dunbar Invitational brings together an impressive roster of bands from different classifications, with a judging process that is both meticulous and multifaceted. A six-person panel of judges evaluates each band on a variety of criteria, including Music and Visual Performance and General Effect. By earning a score of 80 or above, bands can achieve a “Distinguished” rating, a high honor.

The competing schools in this year’s invitational included:

Class A:

• Lewis County High School Marching Band

Class AAA:

• Martha Layne Collins High School Marching Band

Class AAAA:

• Bourbon County Band
• Harrison County Marching Thorobreds
• Woodford County High School Marching Band

Class AAAAA:

• Henry Clay High School Blue Devil Marching Band
• Tates Creek High School Band
• Lafayette High School

The Marching Colonels’ success against this talented field solidifies their standing as a program to watch as the marching season progresses.