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And so it goes... The time comes again to bid fair well to a group of seniors that have served as the core of the band, the glue that held things together through another successful season. They have provided the leadership and set the example throughout their career for the standard of excellence that is the Mighty Maroon Marching Band. Good luck in your future endeavors and don't forget to visit next season.

The Class of 2005

Congrats to the New Officers

PresidentRob Kern
This is the LAST time. I mean it!
Vice-PresidentMark Weisser
SecretaryMissy McHone
Treasurer(s)Linda Brinkley

These brave folks stepped forward to accept the challenge of officerhood at the awards banquet (they had to, or no one was getting desert). Be sure to say hi and offer your condol ... congratulations at the next meeting.

Just Back from LA

NAWLINS, LA that is.

Whew! We made back from New Orleans with most of the band members we left with. Congrats to the band for picking up a Bronze award (1 point short of silver!) and third in their class. Click on the photo to see pics from the trip. More photos to be posted soon.

Click here to see new Orleans Pics

George Wythe High School Band Takes Third Place in National Competition

Click here to see new Orleans Pics

On Friday April, 8, the George Wythe High School Concert Band participated in the Heritage Music Festival competition in New Orleans, La. The event took place over two days to accommodate the large number of entries. Bands in the festival came from across North America and included groups from California, Quebec, and Florida to name a few. Each group performed prepared pieces in front of a group of nationally accredited judges and was rated on a scale used at similar competitions hosted by Heritage across the country. The George Wythe Concert Band finished third overall in their class scoring a Bronze Rating, narrowly missing silver rating by one point.

The trip included some time for sight seeing while in the Big Easy. Side events included a paddle wheel cruise on the Mississippi with a Dixieland Jazz Ensemble and lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. The festival trip also coincided with the French Quarter Jazz Festival which included a number of local and nationally known groups performing in open venues along the riverside. Competing on the first day of the event also gave the band all day Saturday free at Six Flags where the jam-packed awards ceremony was held at 8 pm.

The band makes the trip for national competition every other year. The destination is chosen by the band members from a list of options provided by the festival providers. Trips in the past have included Chicago, Orlando, Boston, and Toronto. Band members earn the cost of the trip through fundraisers. They would like to thank their patrons and supporters for making this year's trip possible. That cookie dough or those flower bulbs you purchased just went to expand the horizons of a budding musician.

All District Band Tryouts

Kudos to the brave souls that traveled down to John Battle this Saturday to audition for All District Band. Sarah Brenchley, Adam Gardner, Keith Edwards, Kendra McHone, Karen Hilva, and Brandon Mock all braved the early morning sunlight (we left at 7:00 AM) and sweated through the waiting to perform in front of a cast of judges hidden behind a screen. Is that spooky or what? It takes plenty of guts and gumption just to make that trip.

When all was done (as in several hours and several hundred auditions later), Brandon placed as second chair alto sax in the junior Symphonic band and was third best of all of the middle school altos that auditioned. Kendra made it in as second alternate on trumpet. Congrats to Brandon and Kendra and to all of the band members brave enough to participate. See full results HERE.

East Burke Cavalier Classic

The Mighty Maroon Band closed out the competition season in style at the Cavalier Classic presented by East Burke High School in Connelly Springs, NC. The event included bands from across the Carolinas (and ONE from Virginia) in classes from 1A to 6A. The MMB won their class and received a Superior Rating. See the details on the Awards Page.

Don't forget the end of the season party will be held Friday, November 5 @KOA from 6 to 10. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Free mini golf and batting cages. BYO quarters for the Video games, Pool, Air Hockey, etc. See you there!

Click here for more pics

VBODA State Marching Band Ratings Festival

Tough weather. Tough judges. The Mighty Maroon Band participated in the VBODA state marching ratings festival at Pulaski County High School this weekend. The band received an Excellent rating for their performance. Not bad, but disappointing since it knocks out any shot at Virginia Honor band for this year.

The band did suffer one casualty during the performance. We can only hope Cara's ponytail will grow back before the band travels to East Burke for the final competition of the year.

Mountain Foliage Band Festival

In the wind and the rain we sailed down to Independence Saturday for the Mountain Foliage Band Festival sponsored by Grayson County Mighty Blue Devil Band. The wind made the flags flutter nicely, but the chill kept everyone frozen for the much of afternoon. Click on the photo to see more photos from the festival and check out the results on the Awards Page.

George Wythe Band Festival

WHEW! Well, it looks like we survived another Festival night (well, MOST of us). It took a lot of hard work and preparation to pull this off. Thanks to all who worked that evening and to those who set it up behind the scenes. Most of the feed back from the bands and fans was positive. Come to the next booster meeting prepared to break down the evening's happenings. See photos of our band in action HERE.

BCI: First Place Class A

The MMB traveled to Jefferson Forest HS for the Bedford County Invitational. We were the only band to perform before the clouds opened up and dumped a fire hose spray of COLD water on the crowd and the field. It also drenched the band as they were still on their way back up to the buses. The band left for drier quarters, but a few hardy soles stuck it out to the bitter end to get the final results. MMB alumni Stacy Umberger and first year member Brandon Mock stood in for the band at the awards ceremony to pick up the eight trophies they were awarded for their performance, including First in Class. See more on the Awards Page.

Clinch River: Band of the Day

The Mighty Maroon Band participated in the Clinch River Band Festival this past weekend. The band carried off most of Class A and was named Band of the Day for Class A & AA. See more on the Awards Page.

They Made It !

The Mighty Maroon Band returned from another successful band camp Friday. Sore, sunburnt, and glad to be home, they rolled into town Friday afternoon. The band put in a lot of long hours getting the show together. Now they need to hone it to perfection before they roll it out at the first football game. Congratulations to all that survived the week at camp and the annual saving cream battle. The Members list has been updated to show the names of all who made it home. Click on the photo to see more camp activities.

 Click here to see more early sights at Band Camp 04

It's Here !

The SUGAR SHED has arrived! The new concession building for the visitor's side of the stadium was delivered Friday. It has more than twice the space of the old SUGAR SHACK (which is now on duty at the baseball/softball fields) and after a few final touches, will be ready for service at the first football game. Of course we'll need a brave crew to take the reigns at the new facility. Interested? Come to the next meeting to sign on.


The 2004 Official T-Shirt

... and for threcord, WE had ours long before Target!

If you have any questions or comments about the band, you can send them to our new email address at

!!