Warner Robins High School marching band superior in two competitions

Warner Robins High School’s Demon Band has had a superior year.

The marching band has competed in two competitions this year, and superior was about all that anyone -- including the judges -- had to say about them.

At the Oconee Classic, hosted by Baldwin County High School and held Oct. 1, the Warner Robins band was rated superior in all categories -- color guard, drum major, percussion and full band.

In a band competition, nine to 10 judges rate a band’s performance on a scale of 100. Anything 85 or higher is a superior rank. Class awards are also given out -- similar to region awards. Bands are placed at competitions in classes based on band size.

At the Oconee Classic, Warner Robins received second place class in color guard, and first place class in drum major, percussion and overall band.

Overall awards are given out as well, chosen from every band in the competition. Overall at the Oconee Classic, Warner Robins earned first place drum major, first place percussion, first place visual performance and fourth place overall as a band.

At the Sound of Silver competition hosted by Pierce County High School on Oct. 15, Warner Robins again received superior in every category.

The band also earned the following class awards: first in drum major, first in percussion, first in band and second in color guard.

Overall, Warner Robins won first place drum major and first place percussion, earning a 96 drum score.

Warner Robins was selected as the overall Grand Champion band at the Sound of Silver event with a score of 94.37.

Director of Bands Todd Howell said that score and that of the percussion, is the highest Warner Robins has received in the 15 years he has been band director at the school.

While Howell said the program itself was very good, the difference this year has been the performance and drive of the Warner Robins High band members.

“It is not just what we do but how we do it,” Howell said. “They are really striving for a unified performance. Anything we do, we do to the best of our ability.”

Howell said the students really have pride in what they do and a dedication to the discipline that it takes to perform on the superior level.

Now that competition season is over for the Demon Band, Howell said he and the band members will continue to support the football team and get ready for concert season.

“Band season is such a misnomer,” Howell said. “It really never stops. They roll right into each other with the same kids.”

“I am just so proud of these kids. They have a great attitude and have done all the things that we have asked them to do,” Howell said.

Contact Alline Kent at 396-2467 or allinekent@cox.net.