Oxford band creating new standards of excellence

Members of the Oxford High School Yellow Jacket Competition Band celebrate after the Pinson Valley Classic. Photo: Courtesy/Oxford High School

The Oxford High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band began a new tradition of excellence this year, with the creation of their “competition band.”

Planning for the competition band began over a year ago after a less than perfect marching season. Director Chris Pennington made the decision to have two bands for the upcoming marching season: a “Friday Night Band,” where all band students from grades 8-12 would participate, and a “Competition Band,” where only the most skilled and dedicated members would participate at Saturday competitions.

In order to have all aspects of the band’s performance perfect, all competition band hopefuls attended a basics camp conducted by many talented clinicians. The students were then required to take the skills they learned in camp to pass a marching and playing test for competition band membership. Professional drill and music writers then created an intricate competitive show for the group.

After receiving the music and drill the band imminently began work on the show in January. After completing a rigorous band camp in May and many practices throughout the summer, the show finally began to take shape.

The band’s first competition took place at the Midsouth Marching Festival in Gadsden. There for the first time in years the band received several superior ratings. Two weeks later the band traveled to Hoover to take part in the Hoover Invititational marching band contest. Despite the stiff competition the band still received superior ratings, the majorettes received the best-in-class award, and the dance line received the best-in-show award. Continuing an amazing season, the band then traveled to Jacksonville State University for the Southern Classic, where they received all superior ratings. The percussion section, majorettes, drum majors and dance line all received best-in-class awards. The dance line also went on to be named Grand Champion. With one competition left and a perfect season to uphold, the band continued to persevere. At the band’s last competition they received straight superior ratings, best-in-class awards for the majorettes and dance line, and the Chief of the Valley Grand Champion trophy.

The outcome of this tremendous, groundbreaking season has left its mark on the Oxford High School band program and every member of the award-winning band. Senior and saxophone section leader Christi Chesnut stated, “It felt really good to end my high school marching experience with so many awards and honors.”

This season has not only affected the seniors but others as well; first-year percussionist Holdt LaBudde affirmed, “It was absolutely amazing! I came from never playing an instrument before, to being a member of a superior best-in-class drum line.”

Everyone was in total agreement with trombone section leader Justin Moore’s statement, “All the hard work paid off.” After months of blood, sweat, and tears the members of the band had achieved the distinction they’d sought.

The band would not have had such an excellent season without the help of a first-class, extremely knowledgeable staff. To have three experienced instructors was an asset to the band’s success. Band directors Chris Pennington and J.T. Spann’s countless years of performing and teaching music established a foundation for the band’s progress. After the retirement of assistant director Jon Underwood, Oxford hired a new teacher, Mr. Will Campbell. Percussion section leader Alex Dew declared, “All of our accomplishments would not have been possible without the help of our new instructor, Will Campbell. His drum corps and college marching expertise brought a much greater marching standard to the band.”

Not only has the competition band gained new territory for the Oxford band program, but the entire band has been given the honor of participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City in front of millions of spectators. A new era of excellence is dawning for the Oxford High School band program.

Hillary Burt is a 17-year-old senior in the Oxford High School Band. She has been a member of the marching band for five years and drum major for two years. She has also been a member of the symphonic and jazz bands for four years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Teen Involvement and Gancel. After graduating high school she hopes to go to college and pursue a degree in anthropology.