EDUCATION: AREA BANDS TO COMPETE

Southeast Missouri State University wants high school bands to play in the Homecoming parade, but in recent years it has been difficult because many bands attended band festivals rather than march at Homecoming.

Cape Girardeau Central High School is a case in point. Its marching band won't march at Homecoming because it has another band contest that day, said Barry Bernhardt, university band director.

A few years ago, the Homecoming parade competed for bands with the Charleston, Mo., Band Festival.

This year, the university will hold a band competition as part of the parade down Broadway on Oct. 21.

The move paid off. Southeast has attracted 18 high school and junior high school bands from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

In recent years, the parade averaged 10 to 12 bands.

"There are so many band festivals and so many parades where bands go and they get a trophy," Bernhardt said.

This year trophies will be awarded in four classes, based on school size.

A reviewing stand will be set up in front of Shivelbine's Music Store, 535 Broadway.

For marching bands, weather is always a concern. High school bands typically won't march in the rain while the university's Golden Eagles Marching Band performs, even in bad weather.

Bernhardt said the Golden Eagles band marched one year in a downpour. The uniforms were so drenched band members went to the football game in street clothes.

Pat Schwent, Jackson band director, said the band marches in Southeast's Homecoming parade every third year.

"We tend to do more indoor playing," she said, adding that students have enough to do without spending Saturdays at marching event.

Southeast's Homecoming festivities will be held Oct. 19 through 22.

"Once Upon a Time" is the theme, said Kim Groves, alumni services director.

On Oct. 20, the Merit Award/Scholarship Dinner will recognize past and present merit award recipients as well as scholarship donors and recipients.

On Oct. 21, the annual "Friend of the University" Award will be presented at the Copper Dome breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center.

The Homecoming Broadway Mile 2000 kicks off at 9:10 a.m. and is sponsored by the university's wellness office.

Registration will be $12 for adults, $7 for children from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Southeast Missouri Hospital parking lot at Broadway and West End.

The Homecoming parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at Broadway and West End and proceed east on Broadway to Main and south on Main.

Floats based on each of the decades and a new band competition will make for one of the larger Homecoming parades ever, Groves said.

The Homecoming football game will kick off at 1 p.m. at Houck Stadium, with the Indians playing the Murray State Racers.

SOUTHEAST HOMECOMING PARDE

What: Southeast Homecoming Parade

When: 9:30 a.m., Oct. 21

Where: Broadway and West End, east on Broadway to Main