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Maroons are a Virginia Honor Band

Saturday, March 28, 1998, the George Wythe Band performed at the VBODA concert ratings festival. Here is the official press release:
Mighty Maroon Band becomes a Virginia Honor Band

It's all down to the paper work stages now, but when the smoke clears the newest Virginia Honor Band will have a Wytheville address. On Saturday, March 28 the George Wythe Mighty Maroon Band, under the direction of Jack Horner, participated in the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association concert band ratings festival held in Richlands.

The band was judged on their performance of three prepared pieces and one site reading. They opened with a spirited rendition of the popular march, "The Footlifter" by Henry Filmore. They followed with the flowing melodies of "Visions of Flight" by Robert Sheldon. Their final piece was the "Symphonic Dance #3, Fiesta" , music with complex and varying themes and melodies requiring technical prowess. The judges panel responded with a unanimous rating of Superior, one of only a few such ratings given in the event which spanned two days and included over 30 Southwest Virginia bands.

Last fall, the Mighty Maroon band received a Superior rating at the State Marching Band ratings competition held in Pulaski. That coupled with the Superior concert band rating this past weekend completes the requirements for the band to be designated a Virginia Honors Band. According to Director Horner, this is the first time in several seasons that the band has been able to carry their success on the field into the concert hall.

The band will be including the competition pieces in the Dinner and Concert in the park to be held Monday, May 11 in the Elizabeth Brown Park. Dinner, catered by Pure Country Steakhouse and Saloon, will be served at 4:30. The Scott Memorial bands will perform at 6:00 with the George Wythe Band following at 7:00. In case of inclement weather the event will be held in the Community Center. For more information and tickets call (540) 228-3981.

Learn More about the Mighty Maroon Band at:
http://www.gwhsband.org


The 1997 Official T-Shirt

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