Mars Area High School Marching Band took first place in the 2017 PIMBA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association) Class 3A Championships, held Oct. 21 at Gateway High School (Monroeville, Pa.). 

The Fightin’ Planets earned a combined score of 85.40, earning high honors for outstanding visual and general effect. The band competed against Class 3A marching bands from Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel and Gateway.

This year’s band show, “Beethoven: Artistry in Motion,” features several of Ludwig van Beethoven’s greatest hits, including his “Fifth Symphony,” “Fur Elise,” “Pathetique Sonata” (from Opus 13, Movement II) and “Ode to Joy” (from Ninth Symphony).

For more information, visit www.pimba.org.