Madison, Alabama, September 21, 2025

News Summary

Tupelo High School from Mississippi clinched the Grand Champion title at the Rocket City Marching Invitational in Madison, Alabama. Competing against several top bands from North Alabama, Tupelo showcased their skills through two rounds of performances. Muscle Shoals High School took second place, while Sparkman High School finished third. The competition, hosted by Bob Jones High School, also featured an exhibition by the UNA Marching Pride as they prepared for the upcoming Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Tupelo High School Wins Grand Champion Title at Rocket City Marching Invitational in Madison, Alabama

Madison, Alabama – Tupelo High School from Mississippi was awarded the title of Grand Champion at the Rocket City Marching Invitational held on Saturday. This prestigious event showcased several top marching bands from North Alabama, including Grissom, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals, and John Paul II High Schools.

The competition, which took place at 1:30 p.m., was hosted by Bob Jones High School and sponsored by KODA Technologies. The doors opened at noon, allowing fans of marching music to get settled before the performances began. Tickets were priced at $15 for adults and $5 for students, with children under 12 admitted for free. Free parking was available at the stadium’s north entrance, ensuring accessibility for all attendees. Participants and spectators had the opportunity to purchase concessions throughout the day, with outside food and drinks not permitted.

At the conclusion of the event, Tupelo High School earned the top honor after competing in two rounds of performances. Muscle Shoals High School finished as the runner-up, taking second place, while Sparkman High School rounded out the top three with a third-place finish. Additionally, Muscle Shoals was voted the fan favorite through online voting, adding to the excitement of the competition.

The event also included valuable insights from expert judges, with feedback provided that was deemed essential for the students’ growth and learning. Leigh Thomas, the Director of Bands at Bob Jones High School, noted the high quality of the contest and the importance of such feedback in developing young musicians.

In a special exhibition, the UNA Marching Pride showcased elements of their upcoming performance in the 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, giving the audience a preview of their preparations for this prominent national event.

Upcoming Events for Bob Jones High School

In a related story, the Bob Jones High School Marching Band is preparing for their participation in the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, marking their first appearance at this national competition. The band will present a show titled “Mama Always Said,” which honors the 30th anniversary of the film Forrest Gump. As the only representative from Alabama competing in this prestigious event, the Bob Jones band will travel to Indiana on Thursday morning before the competition.

Event Quick Facts

• Event: Rocket City Marching Invitational
• Date: Saturday
• Location: Madison, Alabama
• Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under 12
• Competitors: Tupelo High School (Grand Champion), Muscle Shoals High School (2nd), Sparkman High School (3rd)
• Fan Favorite: Muscle Shoals High School
• Exhibition Performance: UNA Marching Pride

FAQ

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Additional Resources

• WAFF: North Alabama Marching Bands Compete at Rocket City Marching Invitational
• Wikipedia: Marching Band
• Rocket City Now: Top Local Bands Set to Participate in Rocket City Marching Invitational
• Google Search: Rocket City Marching Invitational
• The Madison Record: Rocket City Marching Invitational Set for Saturday
• Google Scholar: Marching Band Competitions
• WTVY: Bob Jones High School Band to Take National Stage
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Marching Band
• Daily Cardinal: Q&A with Dr. Corey Pompey on Guiding UW Marching Band
• Google News: Marching Band

Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER

The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.