In just a week, marching season will step off for 16 area high school bands. Area band programs have been preparing since the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Over the summer, students have attended band camps, practiced their instruments at home, and work on their show at summer practices. As we look forward to the coming season, here is a quick preview of what each band has been working on and is preparing for the season. Our Friday Night Feature schedule is at the end of the article.
Alma
The Pride of Alma is preparing for another marching season. During the summer, members of the Alma Band attended the Grizzly Color Guard and Drum Major Camp, The George N. Parks Academy for Drum Majors at the University of Arkansas, and The U of A Music Camp. I do not know what the Pride of Alma has planned for this year’s marching show but after placing 2nd place in 5A State last year I know it will be a great show. I look forward to Alma’s show this season. The Alma Band will premier their halftime show on September 6th at Van Buren. Their first home performance will be September 13th.
Booneville
The Booneville Band is gearing up for takeoff this Marching Season. The band held a Color Guard and Percussion camp to prepare for the upcoming season. After placing first at the Charleston Marching Contest and 4th in 3A at the State Marching Contest, the band hopes to continue their progress into this season. You can catch the Booneville Band at their first performance on August 30th at Clarksville. Their first home show will be September 6th.
Cedarville
This year the Cedarville High School Pirate Band plans to continue their excellence. Last year they earned a 2nd Division rating at the Region IIIV Marching Assessment and 2nd Division Rating at Charleston Marching Contest. I do not know much about what the Cedarville Band has planned for this year’s marching show but I know it will be great. Catch the Cedarville Band’s first performance on August 30th at JC Westside. Their first home performance will be September 6th.
Charleston
The Charleston Band is setting up for another great marching season. This summer their color guard attended the Frontlines Camp at Williams Baptist Walnut Ridge where new and veteran members learned new skills. Members of the band also attended the Arkansas Tech Band Camp in July. I was invited to attend one of their summer practices and I could tell the band was off to a great start. Director Jessica Holt has a great group of students this year. This year’s show will be exciting to watch and hear. The Charleston Band will be debuting their show on August 30th at home.
Fort Smith Northside
The Northside Grizzly Band is ready for another year of tradition and excellence. Last season they earned First division at Region Assessment. This year’s show will be quite the opposite of last year’s sunshine and rainbows theme. But do not fret, the show will still be strong and bold this season. The last few years the Grizzly Brass has been nothing but solid and after attending their summer practice you can expect the same this upcoming marching season. You can catch the Grizzly Band at Greenwood as they debut their show September 6th. Their first home show of the season will be September 13th.
Fort Smith Southside
In the spring, the Maverick Band will be taking their students to Chicago but this fall they will be taking their fans on a trip to Detroit. Their show title, Mavtown, is a tribute to the greats of Motown. With a tradition for excellence, the Maverick band spent the summer preparing for their upcoming season. Students attended the Grizzly Color Guard and Drum Major Camp, ATU Band Camp, and UAFS Band Camp. Before school started, they held a standstill preview of their show music for parents and the community. The Mavericks will also perform their show for the first time in Greenwood on September 13th. Their first home show will be on September 20th.
Greenwood
The Greenwood Bulldog Band is excited about the upcoming marching season. Having received a 1st Division at Marching Assessment and placing 4th in 6A State, Greenwood hopes to improve this season. Over the summer the band put in many hours of work. During summer rehearsals, they spent the morning working on marching fundamentals and the afternoons working on music. While visiting their practice, I enjoyed stepping into each sectional to catch different parts of their show. I cannot wait to hear it all put together. Greenwood will be slowly putting their show on the field starting September 6th at home.
Hackett
After a strong year and placing 2nd in 2A State, the Hackett Band is in a rebuilding stage. But do not let that fool you, they will still perform a quality show this season. While at their summer rehearsal, I got to see how hard the band works each night. They practice their music first and then head outside for marching fundamentals and some PT. They may be small with a total of 19 members and young with 9 freshmen and no seniors, but do not count out the Hackett Band this year. They are working hard to prove that this year is more than just a rebuilding year. The Hackett Band will be debuting their show on August 29th at Mansfield. Their first home show of the season will be September 6th.
Lavaca
The Lavaca Band has been hard at work this summer. Students started practice at 8 am with marching fundamentals. It takes dedication to wake up early during summer break to attend practice. I was able to attend one of their practices and they all had smiles on their faces with positive attitudes. They are ready to rock marching season this year. You just might want to bring your cowbell with you for this show. You can catch the first performance of the Lavaca Band on August 30th at home.
Magazine
Last year the Magazine Band brought to use a show about a little shop with some unforgettable plants. I personally like the monster plant, which I got to meet at the Lavaca game. I do not know what the Magazine band has planned for this season but you can look forward to another great show. The first performance of Magazine’s show will be August 30th at home.
Mansfield
The Mansfield Band recently went through some transitions and now have a new Band Director. Michael Parker will be directing the band this year. I personally am excited to see what is to come from the Mansfield Band this year. Since under a new director, I do not know what he has planned for this year’s marching show but I know it will be great. You can catch the Mansfield Band’s show premiere on August 29th at home.
Mountainburg
The Mountainburg Band is ready for another great season. During this summer their Color Guard and Drum Majors were able to attend the Grizzly Color Guard and Drum Major Camp. While at their summer rehearsal, the band uses some of those skills to work on technique and fundamentals with the whole band. Students are very excited for this year’s marching season and what all it has in store. The Mountainburg Band will kick off their season on August 30th at Lavaca. Their first home game will be on September 24th.
Ozark
The Ozark Band is in their second year under the direction of Brandon Hanlon. If you thought last year’s show was good, just wait till you hear the production that the Ozark Band is preparing. They have spent their summer working hard to produce a quality show. Last year they placed 9th in 4A State but they hope to improve this year. You can catch the Ozark Band on September 6th at Booneville. Their first home game will be on September 20th.
Paris
The Paris Band is under new direction this year. Matt Shewmaker will be head director and Jeremy Drymon will be assistant director. I was able to meet Matt and Jeremy at one of Paris’ summer practices and they are very excited about the upcoming season. They are working with the band through this transition. So far things are going well. The students had a good rehearsal and the season looks promising for Paris. The band will perform their show on August 30th at Perryville. Their first home performance will be September 13th.
Van Buren
The Van Buren Pointer Pride Band has been hard at work this summer. The two-time defending 7A State Marching Champions are preparing to defend their title again this season. Bentonville High and Bryant and also looking to capture that 7A State Championship. It will be a close competition this year, so keep an eye on how things play out this season. I do not know much about what the Van Buren Band has planned for this year’s marching show but I look forward to hearing their show. Van Buren will debut their show on September 6th at home.
Waldron
This year I am excited to add the Waldron Band into our coverage. Last year I heard the band at the Charleston Marching Contest, the band sounded great and plans to continue it. I do not know much about what the Waldron Band has planned for this year’s marching show but I look forward to meeting the students and staff down in Waldron. They will start their season on September 6th at home.
ARVBands 2019 Friday Night Feature Schedule
Week 1(Aug. 29)
Hackett @ Mansfield
Week 1 (Aug. 30)
Mountainburg @ Lavaca
Week 2 (Sept. 6)
Mansfield @ Waldron
Week 3 (Sept. 13)
Van Buren @ Northside
Week 4 (Sept. 20)
Charleston @ Ozark
Week 5 (Sept. 27)
Paris @ Booneville
Week 6 (Oct. 4)
El Dorado @ Greenwood
Week 7 (Oct. 11)
North Little Rock @ Southside
Week 8 (Oct. 18)
Lavaca @ Magazine
Week 9 (Oct. 25)
Greenland @ Cedarville
Week 10 (Nov. 1)
Greenbrier @ Alma
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