The Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band has been named one of 12 national finalists in the 2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships, held Nov. 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Plymouth-Canton, the only Michigan band to be included in the list of high school bands, made its 22nd appearance as a National Finalist in the 36-year history of Bands of America. More than 500 marching bands participate in Bands of America competitions leading up to the four-day event held annually in Indianapolis.

Carmel High School from Indiana was named the Grand National Champion.

Blog: Band mom Kim Ward celebrates Plymouth-Canton Marching Band's latest accomplishment

The Plymouth-Canton Marching Band, led by Director of Bands David Armbruster and Associate Director Jonathan Thomann, came in 12th place out of 87 bands on Nov. 10. The 172-member band performed The Last Dance, a nine-minute program that wowed audiences when a giant grey shroud depicting a dark cloud was pulled over the entire band and across the stadium field.

The music in the program included “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce. 

This year’s band season saw Plymouth-Canton reclaiming its Flight I State Championship status on Nov. 3 at Ford Field. The PCMB also were named BOA Pontiac Regional Champions on Oct. 6.

“Everyone’s floating on cloud nine right now,” Armbruster said after the event. “It was a very good year for the band. They set some really high goals and they achieved them.”

The students returned from their trip to Indiana on Sunday afternoon to cheers, banners and car horns as the Plymouth-Canton Drumline did one final presentation for the crowd of students and parents gathered around.

The 2012 marching band season will end with a fundraising event this Saturday, Nov. 17 at Plymouth High School. The Music Boosters are hosting a juried Holiday Arts and Crafts Ensemble from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The public is invited to attend.