The Fairfield Marching Band traveled to Davis County on Saturday to participate in the 50th Annual Festival of Bands, performing selections from their 2025 show “Criminal” against schools from across the region.
The Trojans showcased the first two movements of their show, opening with Michael Jackson’s iconic “Smooth Criminal” before transitioning into Bon Jovi’s rock anthem “Wanted Dead or Alive.” The “Criminal” theme has provided the band with an exciting and recognizable repertoire throughout the season, blending pop and rock elements into a cohesive musical narrative.
Fairfield competed in a field that included Mount Pleasant, Knoxville, Washington, Cardinal, Clark County (Missouri), and EBF. The band placed fourth out of four schools in their class.
The event marked a significant milestone as the Davis County Festival of Bands celebrated its 50th anniversary. The long-running competition has served as a staple of the fall marching band season for schools throughout southeast Iowa and beyond, providing an opportunity for bands to showcase their skills and receive valuable feedback from judges.
The festival format allows bands to compete against schools of similar size and resources, creating a fair and competitive environment while celebrating the hard work and dedication of student musicians and their directors.
As the marching season progresses, the Fairfield High School band aims to build on this experience while continuing to refine their “Criminal” show. The production still has more to come, with additional movements set to be added in the weeks ahead. Fans can look forward to seeing — and hearing — the band perform at upcoming home football games, including when the Trojans host Keokuk on October 17th and Mount Pleasant on October 24th.
