Congratulations to the Proviso West Marching Panthers!

On Saturday, March 14, 2009, the Proviso West Marching Band competed and won at the “Scrapple in the Apple Competition,” a fundraiser hosted by the Brooklyn Steppers in New York.

The Proviso West band was one of many competing for trophies and bragging rights. The Panthers took home the cake by winning first place in the drum line competition and best overall band.

“The band has worked very hard and I am happy that their hard work and determination paid off,” said Proviso West Band Director Sam Atcher. “I was so impressed with the New York experience, the activities for the students, and the competition itself.”

While in New York, the band members enjoyed a variety of activities, most notably, they were a part of the hit television show, BET’s 106 and Park. Band members participated in discussions about domestic violence as a part of the show’s studio audience.

The Brooklyn Steppers is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality educational services to enhance academics, build moral character, and enhance each child’s musical and artistic ability. The program consists of a group of talented students from The Brooklyn Music and Arts Program, which was formed in 2004 to provide disadvantaged inner-city youth with a creative outlet outside of school.

The “Scrapple in the Apple” attracted a crowd of nearly 1,000 people.

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