Kiski at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis

The Kiski Area Marching Band, the “Big K,” returned home Sunday night from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis as a National Finalist and winner of the “Best Music” caption award in its class in the Bands of America Grand National Championship competition held November 13 through 15. A large crowd of parents and community well wishers greeted the returning Big K at 6:30 p.m. as they arrived at Kiski High School. Balloons, sirens and lights from fire engines and emergency vehicles from Vandergrift, Hyde Park and Allegheny Township were displayed as the buses entered the parking lot. Kisk'’s accomplishment of being a Grand National Finalist is significant. Over 40,000 people attended the weekend-long event. Kiski competed against 89 bands from 23 states. Of the 89 bands, 31 were selected as Semi-Finalists. Only 12 bands were selected as Grand National Finalists, Kiski among them. Notably, 22 bands of the 89 competing regularly attained the status of Grand National Finalist whenever they competed at the national level, meaning that 10 previous Grand National Finalists did not make the cut this year to be among the elite 12.

Addressing the band after its arrival back at Kiski High School, Director George Wozniak stated that he was proud of his band for successfully competing against much larger bands. He commented that Kiski is a “special place where students accomplish great things musically, including being named one of the best 12 bands in the nation and playing the best music in its class.” Superintendent John Meighan congratulated the band members observing that he watched them practice in the heat, rain and snow, noting that their effort and dedication did not go unnoticed.

In addition to excelling at the national level, Kiski won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association’s (PIMBA) state championship. At PIMBA, Kiski won the caption awards for best music, outstanding visual affect and general affect. Kiski also was Class Champion at BOA’s Youngtown Regional Competition..

Kisk'’s performance at BOA’s Grand National Competition was its last of the year. The Big K will hold its annual banquet on December 6.