Marching band competition in Oxnard keeps the music alive

Oxnard High School Marching Band & Auxiliary hosted the 32nd annual Keepin’ the Music Alive field show competition on Saturday.

The largest bands competed first for a change. Some of them had another competition in Moorpark the same day.

Santa Paula won first place in the 3A band division, the school also won first place awards in the percussion and auxiliary open.

Camarillo won the Tournament Band Sweepstakes and High Music awards.

They competed with schools from Los Angeles, Palmdale and Bakersfield.

Before noon, Oxnard band director Andre Spence said, “It feels great,and the greatest thing is it is going smoothly and that doesn’t always happen at band competitions, but today is going very smooth and I’m very excited.’

Smaller bands competed in the afternoon.