For the third consecutive year and the 10th time since 2004, the Columbia High School Marching Wildcats are state champions. Columbia claimed the Class 4A State Championship on Saturday at Pearl High School with its show, “Medusssa.”
There are five categories bands are graded in, and Columbia was the only 4A school to place in the top-3 of each one, just like last year. The Marching Wildcats placed third in color guard and general effect and first in percussion, visual and music while competing against 16 other schools.
CHS Band Director Leslie Fortenberry said she told the band members it would take placing top-3 in each category, and they got the job done.
“This year’s band has been a very special group to me. From the beginning of band camp in July, I could tell that this was very motivated and hard-working group of students,” Fortenberry said. “It takes a lot of work for each year’s show. It’s not just about marching and playing. Every week students have to make major changes in the show, and it’s their responsibility to remember to do it. We consistently add aspects to the show throughout the week just to make it reach its full potential.”
Several members of last year’s state-title winning band were skeptical about the 2023 theme of “Mad Science,” but once it all came together, they understood the vision. That wasn’t the case this time around. Fortenberry said the band loved the idea of “Medusssa” back in May when she first announced the 2024 theme, and it paid off once again.
While the Marching Wildcats are no strangers to success with 10 state titles in 20 years, this is the first time Columbia has claimed the state championship in three consecutive years. This title also keeps another impressive streak alive — every four-year member of the band dating back to 2004 has won at least one state championship. This new streak may take the cake though.
“Having three in a row is awesome!” Fortenberry said.
The accomplished director said there are a ton of people who deserve credit for this accomplishment.
“A lot of our help comes from the people behind the scenes, which are our parents, teachers and administrators. They work just as hard as the students do,” Fortenberry said. “They help with concession stands, transportation of trailers, being chaperones and the list goes on and on. We appreciate all they do for the CHS band.”
