The fields at Columbia and West Marion have been on fire and not just with football.
The marching bands of both schools earned “All Superior” ratings at the Gulf Coast Regional Marching Band Festival on Saturday in Gulfport. Both bands will be performing in the state competition Nov. 2.
Under an overcast sky, cool temperatures and a strong breeze, the West Marion High School band was the third band to perform. The program is called “Exile,” a collaboration created by Band Director Ryan Pippen, Alexis Ridge and Jimmy Gooch. The program is loosely based on Adam and Eve.
With solo features by Grace Albritton and Waylon Magee, and led by Drum Major Christian Jordan, the band performed songs from Rites of Springs and Coldplay.
Alabama native Pippen is in his fourth year as band director for the school.
“This is very incredible. I am so incredibly proud of these kids. They have worked long and hard and have strived for perfection. I have had a great team with me with Alexis Ridge and Jimmy Gooch and the administration has backed me up 100 percent,” Pippen said.
West Marion Principal Gigi Dunaway said, “It was just phenomenal. Pippen has brought such a level of excellence to the band program.”
Not to be outdone, Columbia High School performed in the second half of the day, also earning all ones. Columbia’s program “Along Came a Spider” featured a flute solo by Jade Thompson and was led by Drum Major Sawyer McDowell.
Later that evening Columbia’s band participated in the Battle of the Bands. In the competition Columbia, the only 3A school to compete, went up against 4A, 5A and 6A schools with larger bands. At the end of the evening Columbia received first place for color guard, percussion and band and received eighth place in the competition.
“We had such a great day on Saturday, I’m proud of how much these kids have grown over the past few months,” Band Director Leslie Fortenberry said.
“I am extremely proud of our band on their performance. Our band directors and students work hard each day and I am proud to see that hard work pay off,” Principal Braxton Stowe said.
Both bands now have their eyes on the state championship, which will be awarded at Germantown High School in Madison County. The band directors both say there is still a lot work to do before state.
This will be the third year in a row West Marion will be competing in state. Last year they placed in eighth place.
The Wildcats marching band won the state championship last year in class 3A and is hoping to repeat.
