September 17, 2018
By: Bill Conger
The DeKalb County High School Marching Band took 4th place overall out of 14 bands at yesterday’s (September 15) band contest in Crossville. Cumberland County High School hosted bands around the region at the 36th Annual Upper Cumberland Marching Band Festival.
“All I ask is that they improve every week,” says Band Director Tracy Luna. “Thus far, they’ve improved every week that they’ve been there and then some. They’ve exceeded my expectations.”
“The awards go 1,2,3,4 with one being the top. Ultimately, we want to get a one, but if we get 2s, we’re satisfied because that means we’re an excellent band, and we’re improving and moving in the right direction.”
Judges award 1s for Superior, 2s for Excellent, 3s for Good and 4s for Fair.
“We want to stay away from the 3s and 4s, but if we get 1s we’ll be super happy,” says Luna. “I think our marching and playing deserved 1s, but … I’m a little bias.”
The band received 1s (Superior) in Visual Performance and Drum Major (Axel Rico scored 3rd Place out of 14).
and 2s (Excellent) in Musical Performance, Percussion, and Color Guard.
“The judges look for overall visual continuity of forms on the field,” Luna explained. “Do the pictures look right? How are their marching intervals between person to person? Are they in step left versus right foot? Also, there’s a music judge that judges musical quality— intonations and articulations and in-tune. Is the band in tune?”
Judges also evaluate the performances of percussion, color guard and drum major.
Next, the band performs the Andrew Lloyd Weber “Phantom of the Opera” music at Friday night’s football game in Cannon County. The ensemble’s next competition is scheduled for September 29th in Trousdale County.
Working with the band besides Tracy Luna, is Assistant Band Director Jonathan Holland, Katie Graham-Color Guard, and Caleb Rowland-Woodwinds and Drum Major.
Luna says a special thank you to all of the band boosters who make our job easier and a great experience for the students!