Pima, Snowflake rate superior at EAC Band Day

Gadsden earns open class superior plus five other awards

By Raymundo Frasquillo

THATCHER – Pima and Snowflake both earned a Superior rating during the 48th annual Eastern Arizona College Band Day on Oct. 18.

Pima competed in the 1A/2A Class, also earning awards for Best Music and Best Drum Major while the 3A/4A Snowflake Lobos Pride Band landed awards for Best Music, Best Marching, Best Drum Major, and Best Auxillary.

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: EAC Band Director Geoff DeSpain presents an “Excellent” award to the Thatcher Marching Band Drum Major.*

The Open Class had New Mexico Gadsden earning a Superior with Distinction rating. Gadsden also left John T. Mickelson Field with the Best Music, Best Marching, Best Percussion, Best Drum Major, and Best Auxillary Awards.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Gadsden steps through the door to begin its performance. The New Mexico band earned the Open Class superior rating with distinction, along with five additional awards.

Benson, Kearny Ray, Morenci, Eloy Santa Cruz, and Thatcher, each earned an Excellent rating. Morenci also earned the Best Auxillary Award; Ray the Best Percussion Award; and Santa Cruz the Best Marching Award in Class 1A/2A.

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Host EAC plays for the high school bands.*

Holbrook, Payson, Safford and each earned Excellent ratings while Show Low earned a Good rating in Class 3A/4A. Safford also earned the Best Drum Major Award.

Four area high school Marching Bands were singled out for performances during the 48th annual EA Band Day. In front from left, Thatcher senior drum major Aeryn Tellez and junior flag line member Lauri Pizen; Safford junior drum major Dallas Wells and flag line senior Joee Vertrees; in back Morenci seniors, flag line captain Alilee Eleasah Spean-Austin, drum major Johnny Madrid, and flag line co-captain Bryce McGahee; and Pima drum majors, senior Hope Perez, senior Camden Bryce, and junior Eli Rogers. Morenci, Safford, and Thatcher earned excellent rating while Pima earned a superior. Morenci also earned the Best Auxillary Award and Pima the Best Music and Drum Major Awards.

“We usually have between 13-18 bands,” EAC marching band director Geoff DeSpain said. A dozen bands competed in 2025, six in 1A2A, five in 3A/4A, and one in the Open Class.

*Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci readies for action.*

“Judges look at in-step marching, fluidity, formation, intonation, stay together as ensemble, and general effect (or) how all components come together for entertainment,” DeSpain said. “The ratings also have recorded comments in the field of marching that are helpful for state competitions later in the year.”