The week of April 15-19 marked another week of unprecedented success for the Marion Band program.
Competing at the ASBOA State Concert Contest in Jonesboro, both the Marion High School Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band earned 1st Division ratings for the first time in school history. Both bands also earned the State Sweepstakes recognition, having captured a 1st Division in Marching and Concert Performance at the State Level. This was also a first in school history.
Marion was the only 6A Band program in Arkansas to have two bands earn a State Sweepstakes.
In addition, when the final awards were presented, the Marion Wind Symphony was named the Reserve State 6A Honor band, which equates to being the second-highest rated concert band in Class 6A. Jonesboro finished ahead of Marion by a mere .46, and two of the three judges had Marion in first place.
“As a band director, you have those certain moments in time that you will remember for the rest of your life,” said Monty Hill, Marion director of bands. “For me, that was last week as our band students achieved these tremendous honors. This is the result of months of hard work by our dedicated students, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for this achievement.”
To conclude a historical week for the band program, the Marion Patriot Jazz Band earned a First Division at the Arkansas State Jazz Festival held at the University of Central Arkansas on April 19. Sophomores Keivon Robinson and Jordan Jamison also earned Outstanding Soloist Awards. This marks another "first" in school history.
Last week’s achievement capped off what has been a historical year for the Marion Band program. Among the achievements:
Five different ensembles (MJHS 8th Grade Symphonic Band, MJHS 8th Grade Concert Band, MHS Wind Symphony, MHS Symphonic Band, and MHS Concert Band) earned ASBOA Sweepstakes Awards and First Division ratings at the Region IV Concert Assessment
10 band members earned All-State honors
124 students in grades 8-12 earned spots in the All-Region Band
Senior Christopher Partain earned a position in the prestigious National Honor Band of America
Grand Champions at Mid-South Classic (Jonesboro)
Grand Champions at US Bands Ark-La-Miss Regional (Monroe, La.)
Second place at Eastern Shore Classic (Daphne, Ala.)
Straight Superior Ratings at ASBOA Regional Assessment (Paragould)
Fourth Place at Paragould McDonald’s Invitational (Paragould)
Second place at US Bands Southeastern Championship (Huntsville, Ala.)
Third place (Bronze Medal) at 6A State Marching Band Contest (Little Rock)
Largest marching band in school history, with 160 members in the competition band and 180 student musicians taking the field for halftime performances on Friday nights
For those hoping to catch the band in performance, the high school bands will perform their Spring Concert Tuesday (4/22) at 6:30 p.m. in the Marion Performing Arts Center, while the 8th grade will have their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 6, and 7GA will have its concert on Thursday, May 8, both 6:30 in the MPAC.