Many of the best high school bands in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky will compete for the Chancellor’s Cup in the inaugural CAV-LCADE Tri-State Marching Band Championship at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The contest, sponsored by the Marching Highland Cavaliers, will be held in Carl Smith Stadium on the UVa-Wise campus. The bands will compete for the Chancellor's Cup and $1,000 in cash.  The Chancellor's Cup is named in honor of two of the most influential men in the life of the Marching Highland Cavaliers, the late Chancellor David J. Prior and Joseph "Papa Joe" Smiddy, the first chancellor of the college.  Second place will receive the Highland Cavalier Cup and $500, and third place will receive $250, and 4th and 5th places will receive participation plaques.  

The contest will be based on a preliminaries and finals format.  During the preliminary, bands will receive 1st and 2nd place band, percussion, guard, drum major and majorette in each of their respective classes. From these scores, the five highest scoring bands, regardless of class, will return to compete in the finals competition.  

Bands registered to attend are Tennessee High School, Volunteer High School from Tenn., Letcher Central High School and East Ridge High School from Ky., Grayson County, Carroll County, George Wythe, Eastside, Union, Wise Central, Lebanon, Chilhowie, Honaker, Grundy, Northwood and Patrick Henry High schools in Va.  Gate City High School and the Marching Highland Cavaliers will perform in exhibition.

Admission is $6 and the gates will open at 9 a.m.  Concessions will be available and several band accessory vendors will be on site.