The Highland Home Bands held their annual Spring Concert on Monday, May 11, in the HHS Gymnasium. The concert featured performances from the 7th Grade Beginning Band, the 8th Grade Intermediate Band and the High School Symphonic Band. Awards were also given out during the Spring Concert. The HHS Bands are under the direction of Band Director Chad Turner. The 7th grade recipients of this year’s awards were: Best Attitude Girl – Sarah Wood; Best Attitude Boy – Adam Taylor; Most Improved Girl – Janesha Lawson; Most Improved Boy – Kyler Henderson; Most Oustanding Girl – Brittany Hurley; Most Outstanding Boy – Dalton Harris.

The 8th grade recipients of this year’s awards were: Best Attitude Girl – Brenda Givens; Best Attitude Boy – Nick Spann; Most Improved Girl – Ellania Clayton; Most Improved Boy – Kenny Coshatt; Most Outstanding Girl – Rachel Evjen; Most Outstanding Boy – Randale Harris.

The highlight of the concert was the High School Symphonic Band. This is the most advanced of the 3 bands. It is made up of approximately 30 students in grades 9 – 12.

There were several awards given out to the High School Band. The recipients of the Marching Band awards were: Best Section Leader – Jessica Strickland; Best New Musician – Kyle Franklin; Most Outstanding Musician – Trent Norris; Most Improved Musician – Matthew Conrad; Best New Auxiliary – Keisha Byrd; Most Improved Auxiliary – Haley Martin; Most Outstanding Auxiliary – Lauren Davis; Best Section – Trumpets. The recipients of the Symphonic Band awards were: Outstanding Woodwind – Jennifer Strickland; Outstanding Brass – Emily Norris; Outstanding Percussion – Kevin Sport; Best Attitude – Abby Carroll; Most Improved Member – Matthew Conrad; Best New Member – Kanisha Thompson; Best Section – Trumpets. The awards presented to the officers included: Drum Major – Jennifer Strickland; Captain – Emily Norris; Lieutenant – Trent Norris; Sergeants – Kevin Sport and Jessica Strickland; Secretary – Melanie Evjen; Librarians – Brittany Fuller and Karly Owens; Chaplain – Johnathon Bynog. Finally, the recipients of the Senior Awards were: Mandy Best, Hope Bradley, Blair Daugherty, Melanie Evjen, Jodi Harris, Natasha Harris, Edra Nichols, Emily Norris, Kevin Sport, Kari Stalnaker, Jennifer Strickland, Jessica Strickland and Rachael Thomas. The Seniors were treated to a DVD of a specially made slide show, a certificate and a gift from Mr. Chad Turner, Director of Bands and Mrs. April Turner, Colorguard/Majorette Instructor.

The 2009 edition of the Highland Home “Squadron Pride” Marching Band will be getting in to full swing in July. The Colorguard, Majorettes and Drum Line will all have camps specifically designed just for them. The Colorguard and Majorettes will be working on the flag and baton routines for the halftime music, and the Drum Line will be working on the percussion parts for the halftime music.

There will be a week of camp dedicated just to the new members. This is to help them to learn how to march. Finally, there will be a week of camp that will include every band member. This is the week that they will start learning the 2009 halftime show. It will all end with a pizza/pool party for the entire band. It will be a lot of hard work and it will be hot, but it will be fun.

The Marching Band should have between 50 and 60 members this year. The first performance of the “Squadron Pride” Marching band will be on Friday, August 28th, when the Flying Squadron hosts the Daleville Warhawks in Clay Jordan Stadium at Highland Home School. This year promises to be a great year for the Highland Home Band Program.