Avon wins Grand National Championships

The Avon Orioles performance band claimed the ultimate prize last weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium. A year after being named runner-up, Avon marched to victory, winning the 2008 Bands of America Grand National Championships. With more than a 1,000 high school band performers competing for the title of "champion," Avon's performance pushed them to the top and also garnered the group Outstanding General Effect and Outstanding Visual Performance honors. Lawrence Central placed third overall after finishing 10th in last year's competition. The Bears also tied with the Orioles for Outstanding Visual Performance. Carmel was fifth at the Grand Nationals and earned Outstanding Music Performance honors. Ben Davis finished 10th overall. The week prior, Lawrence Central claimed the regional championship and swept all three performance honors. Avon and Carmel placed second and third, respectively. The national event was organized by Indianapolis' Music for All. Final place-winners had to advance to Saturday's grand finals after two days of preliminary performance and a semifinalist round.