‘Sad day.’ These high schools won’t have marching band after vote to cancel state championships.

Woodford County High School Band Director Michael Collins said in a letter to families Wednesday that there would not be a marching band at that school this season because the Kentucky Music Educators Association’s marching band committee had voted to cancel the 2020 State Marching Band Championships.

The storied Lafayette High School band in Lexington has made the same decision, the band association board said in a message to families Wednesday night.

KMEA’s marching band committee voted on Wednesday to cancel the championships, Collins said, in an effort to keep students, staff and parent volunteers safe.

KMEA executive director John Stroube said an executive committee was expected to take a final vote Friday.

The vast majority of high school band directors across the state -- a 2 to 1 ratio -- do not want to have the state championship, he said. He said the marching band committee voted to cancel with an 8 to 4 vote.

“It’s a pretty strong majority standing behind this recommendation. If they were to change it, the membership would expect a compelling rationale as to why they did,“ Stroube said.

Collins did not specifically mention the COVID-19 cases that are continuing to increase in Kentucky, but he said, “While there were many viewpoints expressed in today’s meeting, virtually everyone agreed that the chances of safely getting through a competitive season were slim to none.”

He said travel to out-of-state competitions would be impossible for most if not all high schools in Kentucky.

“This is a sad day, there’s no way around it,” Collins said.

The statement to Lafayette families said the school will not be participating in a 2020 marching band season.

“While this is sad news, especially for our seniors, it is in the best interest of our students, staff, and volunteers,” the statement said.

Lafayette band officials are making final adjustments to expenses and determining the amount needed to maintain the band program.

“We must all work together to ensure the lasting success of the Pride of the Bluegrass,” (the band’s nickname), the statement said.

Collins said he still hoped to accomplish great things in that school’s band program this year and he wanted to bring Woodford County’s marching band back stronger than ever in 2021.

Woodford County Superintendent Scott Hawkins confirmed that Woodford County High School would have no marching band this season.. Woodford County Schools officials plan to open Aug. 26 with both in person learning and a virtual learning option for families who want their children to learn from home.

Fayette County Public Schools spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall said the same health and safety guidelines for athletics are being used to guide marching band practice for the schools participating.

A firm plan for reopening schools in Fayette County is not expected to be announced until next week.

Stroube said KMEA hopes that marching bands will continue to perform even if they don’t have a competition to attend.

This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 6:45 PM.