2017 Competition Recap
Hello, everyone:
The Marching Colonels had a rewarding afternoon at yesterday’s Cavalier Classic. There were 4 bands in class 2A where our recognitions included:
3rd place Overall (by 0.3 points)
1st place Percussion
5th highest percussion score of the day (out of 20 bands)
2nd place marching
3rd place music
3rd place general effect
3rd place drum major (by 1 point)
“Excellent” (II) rating
Saturday’s performance caps the busiest competitive season in recent memory. Four competitions this year is up from three in 2016, one in both 2015 and 2014, and none in 2013. If you are interested, a full recap of our 2017 season is available here. You can still see the Marching Colonels at the football game on October 27 and during the Virginia Veterans Day and Roanoke City Christmas parades.
As we conclude our competitions, I am grateful for our students. They made a weekly dedication to improvement and embraced challenges before them. Our new members (nearly 35% of the ensemble) went from no knowledge to award-winning performances in three months! I would like to thank the Band Boosters who tirelessly support us at every event. I am appreciative to the band staff who provide individual assistance and instruction necessary for development. Also, my thanks to the William Fleming community, especially those members of the Fine Arts and music faculty who see first-hand the enormous amount of time and commitment required for those in our band.
Marching band is not simply one skill set, but dozens of large and small tasks that must be completed simultaneously by every individual. I am very proud of these young musicians. It is my fervent hope they continue to develop a love of music and understand the enormous contribution their team makes to our school and its community.
I hope you will show the students your appreciation. In your congratulations, remind them to keep working hard; this marching season is only a small preview of our potential to achieve!
Let us remember the work continues. Concert band is the lifeblood of our program. It helps to educate and produce musicians that make marching band possible. In every class rehearsal, students work to develop skills needed to perform interesting and engaging concert programs. Students: turn this season’s success into motivation for what’s next. Parents, friends, families, staff: we hope you’ll join us along the way!
With appreciation,
Mr. Stanley
