Band ends season on high note

Every year, the marching band competes in competitions all over the southeast, and this year was not any different.

While the band has done well in competition in past years, this year has set a new standard for future band members because of their show, Journey of Santiago. The band, led by band directors David Raney and Jack Albert, has risen to Raney’s expectations through performance and mentality.

“[All of the sections] have done really well this year. We expect the most out of the band and they have come the closest so far, as long as I have been here, in achieving the level of which we ask them to do,” Raney said. “The percussion section and Mr. Albert, they have done exceptionally well this year because they have a lot of freshman in the percussion section this year.”

The band, percussion and color guard put in countless hours practicing and perfecting the show. Senior Olivia Sheil has been involved in the band program since her freshman year and has seen all of the marching programs grow throughout the years.

“Well, this season we practiced much more than we ever have in the past 3 years I’ve been a part of this band. Also, this year we did not compete in the BOA regionals, which made the year a lot less stressful,” Sheil said. “This year was one the best I’ve had. Our band became so strong and proud selling this cool show concept and playing like we always should. This year was one of the best for SHS band history books.”

The band has gone to a total of three competitions this year, including Tennessee Valley Marching Invitational, UNA’s Tournament of Champions and the U.S. Band’s Southeastern Championship. The band did very well, placing highly at all competitions.

“Our final competition this year was U.S Band’s Southeastern Championship. We competed against bands all over the south-east: Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida,” Raney said. “Our percussion got the high score of the day and won their classification. Color guard got the highest score of the day out of all the bands. Winds got second place in music ensemble. We ended up fourth overall. This is probably the best, no it is the best we have ever done.”