The Marion Patriot Pride Band had an outstanding showing at the Region IV Honor Band auditions held recently by the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association. Marion had 24 outstanding young musicians place in one of the honor bands according to Director of Bands Monty Hill. This number triples the band’s previous amount from just one year ago.
According to Hill, students were required to submit a virtual recording of etudes, scales, and sight-reading. ASBOA monitored all auditions, and other directors from around the state of Arkansas served as adjudicators. The students from Marion competed against schools from across eastern Arkansas including Cabot, West Memphis, Searcy, Wynne, Beebe, Lonoke, Bald Knob, and others. Marion had the second-highest amount to make all-region, second only to 7A Cabot.
Mr. Hill also noted that students making all-region have a much greater opportunity to earn college scholarships. The senior class of 2021 is currently auditioning for band scholarships.
“We are very proud of our band students and their individual achievements,” said Hill. “Along with our junior high students who previously earned all-region honors, Marion placed a total of 41 students in one of the All-Region Honor Bands.”
Marion High School Principal Paul Johnston echoed Hill’s reaction.
“I am extremely proud of our band students for their showing at All-Region auditions,” said Mr. Johnston. “This shows that hard work pays off. I am excited to see our band program develop, and I can't wait to watch our students continue to shine.”
With a growing enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, the Marion School District is committed to helping students develop the academic, social, and decision-making skills needed to become productive citizens in the rapidly changing technological world. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.