Disciplined and rhythmic footsteps, drum beats and bugle calls filled the air at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University grounds, when bands from 26 schools enthralled the audience on Sunday.
The 18th Inter-Schools and Inter-Districts Band Music Competitions was organised by the Coimbatore District Sports and Games Welfare Association and Rotary Club of Coimbatore as part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Activities.
As many as 798 students from 26 schools across Coimbatore and the neighbouring Tirupur districts took part.
Synchronised movement of the band members, full uniform, use of musical instruments and performance within the limited time given were factors that decided the winners, said the organisers. The competition was conducted in seven categories, including infant, boys and girls combined, Tirupur district, and outstanding children.
Outstanding performance prize was awarded to Shri Saraswati Vidya Mandir School, Mettupalayam, in Coimbatore district. The outstanding performance in rural category awards were bagged by Suguna PIP School, St. Annes of Thirumalai Palayam and Amritha Vidyalaya of Ettimadai.
S. Mahimairaja, Dean, Agriculture of TNAU, inaugurated the competition.
