The 2008 marching season is under way and the Oakville Tiger Band has come out strong.

The percussion section finished third Sept. 6 in the Mozingo Marching Percussion Show at Francis Howell High School.

On Sept. 13, the Oakville Tiger Band competed in the Belleville East Marching Invitational and the Metro East Marching Band Classic competitions.

At Belleville East High School, the Tigers swept the 3A Division, bringing home first-place trophies for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, Outstanding Auxiliary Performance, Outstanding Percussion Performance and was crowned the Grand Champion for the highest overall score regardless of division.

The band then loaded up and headed for the Metro East Classic at O’Fallon Township High School, where the Tigers took first place in the 3A Division for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, Outstanding Auxiliary Performance and was the Grand Champion of the event.

Oakville band members Andrew Robson (11th grade/flute) and Jon Gannon (11th grade/french horn) both auditioned for and made the St. Louis Youth Symphony.

Tom Frisch (12th grade/clarinet) was selected as an alternate.