The Dowagiac Marching Band exits the field after a performance of music from popular movies. Leader Photo/AMBROSIA NELDON

Dowagiac’s showtune performance had the crowd at this year’s sixth district Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festival singing and clapping along Wednesday night.
The Dowagiac Chieftan Marching Band received a Division II rating for their movie medley performance containing “Jurassic Park Fantasy” arranged by P. Lavendar, “Jaws/Superman” arranged by J. Vinson and “Danny Effman Closer” arranged by M. Brown.
The Chieftans have the second-largest marching band competing in the festival, totaling 82 band personnel. The Edwardsburg Marching Band had the largest program, with a total of 105 band personnel.
Schools receiving a Division I rating were New Buffalo High School, River Valley High School, Edwardsburg High School and Niles High School.
In addition to Dowagiac, schools receving a Division II rating were Cassopolis, Buchanan and Bridgman.
Benton Harbor High School performed a high energy medley complete with dancing and chanting for comments only.
Other bands performed musical numbers ranging from a “Little Shop of Horrors” medley by Alan Menken (Buchanan) to “Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull (Edwardsburg).