SOUTH PORTLAND – The 22nd annual Field Band Finals for marching bands, sponsored by the Maine Band Directors Association, was held Oct. 29 at South Portland High School.

Performances were given by 14 high school bands from central and southern Maine, coastal New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Participating were Andover, Biddeford, Dover, Edward Little, Lawrence, Leavitt, Lewiston, Marshwood, Old Orchard Beach, Portsmouth, Reading, Sanford, South Portland and Wells.

Each band was evaluated and received star ratings (from one to four) in the areas of drum major, color guard, visual, percussion, music, and general effect. Each band also received an overall medal rating of merit, bronze, silver or gold.

Bands receiving bronze medals were Edward Little, Lawrence, Leavitt, Lewiston, Marshwood, Sanford and Wells. Leavitt Area High School received four stars in the evaluated area of drum major, while the other six bands received three stars. Edward Little, Marshwood and Wells received three stars for percussion. Wells High School also received three stars for music.

Bands receiving silver medals were Andover, Biddeford, Dover, Portsmouth, Reading and South Portland. Biddeford High School and Reading High School received four stars for drum major. Portsmouth High School received four stars for percussion and music.

Dover High School received four stars for color guard, visual and general effect. South Portland High School received four stars for drum major, percussion and music.

Old Orchard Beach High School was the only band awarded a gold medal.

Other activities sponsored by the Maine Band Directors Association are the Maine Open Jazz Festival to be held at South Portland High School on March 4, 2006; the Maine Winter Guard and Percussion Extravaganza to be held at Lewiston High School with a tentative date of March 18, 2006; and the Concern Band Festival to be held at Scarborough High School on April 6 and 7, 2006.