Meridian High School earned top marks from the judges in the Region III Marching Band Festival. Said MHS drum major Joshua Williams: “We came out of our performance with all ‘ones’ and high scores. It has been thirteen years since the MHS Wildcat Band scored such high rankings.”

    SCOOBA – Thousands of high school musicians converged on East Mississippi Community College’s Scooba campus Oct. 11 for the Region III Marching Band Festival. Hosted by the Meridian High School Band Boosters, the annual gathering is a qualifying event for the state marching championship.

    “The day was a big success and the festival atmosphere was great. We could not have done it without the help of Mr. Steve Stringer and EMCC band staff,” said MHS Band Director Antonio Altman. “Thanks to the Meridian High band staff, students and boosters. We look forward to hosting the festival at EMCC in the future!”

    The Region III festival has been held at EMCC’s Sullivan-Windham Field for the last three years.

    “It’s always an honor to welcome so many fine musicians to our campus. I hope they enjoyed their time with us. I know our staff and band members enjoyed meeting them,” said EMCC Director of Bands Steve Stringer.

    “The EMCC Mighty Lion Band performed during the judges’ breaks. They loved having the chance to show our guests what they can do and be a part of a festive, high-energy event.”

    Meridian High School fielded the only Class 6A band in the festival and the Wildcats earned high marks from the judges.

    “The entire Wildcat team worked from the crack of dawn to sunset. Since we hosted the festivities, we had to work all of the gates, concessions and ensure things ran smoothly,” said MHS drum major Joshua Williams.

    “After the first half of the day, we began to get ready for our 5:30 p.m. performance. We thank our band booster parents, who traveled to our practice area with water and words of encouragement, as well as our band director Mr. Altman and his assistants. After working all day in scorching hot sun, we came out of our performance with all ‘ones’ and high scores. It has been thirteen years since the MHS Wildcat Band scored such high rankings.”

    Thirty-two marching bands performed over the course of a day that started with 8 a.m. performances and didn’t end until 12 hours later. Here’s a look at all the participating bands:

    Class 1A: Ethel, Stringer

    Class 2A: Taylorsville, Clarkdale, Scott Central, Mize, Lake, Enterprise, Union

    Class 3A: Choctaw County, Forest, Choctaw Central, Louisville, Morton, Philadelphia, Southeast Lauderdale, Seminary

    Class 4A: Northeast Jones, Kosciusko, Leake Central, Noxubee County, Newton County, Northeast Lauderdale, Quitman, West Lauderdale

    Class 5A: Laurel, Wayne County, West Jones, South Jones, Saltillo, Neshoba Central

    Class 6A: Meridian

    In addition to official scores from a panel of judges, two bands also received Outstanding Band Spirit Awards from EMCC’s Mighty Lion Band.

    “These don’t have anything to do with how well you play or march,” Stringer told the crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field. “These awards are based on attitude, spirit and bandsmanship.”

    The Pride of Union Marching Band from Union High School won the spirit award for the Class 1A and Class 2A bands. In the Class 3A to Class 6A group, the spirit award went to the Wayne County High School Marching Band.

    For more information about EMCC’s band program, contact Steve Stringer at (662) 476-5005 or sstringer@eastms.edu.