Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 1979, Page 39

Description:	Composed of 92 musicians, 16 flag girls,four rifle girls, and 32 Pompettes, the 78Marching Panthers stepped up to some newand different competitions this year.To start the year off on the right foot, theband placed sixth at the Kokomo Invitational competition Sept. 30 and proceededto earn a first-division rating in state competition a month later.Kern Hawkins, new band instructor forSouth, said, It was incredible we got a firstplace the first year. Some schools wait forfive years to earn a first, and some neverget it. . . That shows the abilities we haveto work with. The band will be very strongnext year; well be a lot older than what weare now.Along with the competitions, the bandperformed under the direction of the drummajors, senior Thad Chance and juniorYvette Powell, during halftime at all homefootball games. At the end of the season,members were divided between the symphonic and concert bands.To complement a new instructor and newfacilities, the Band Boosters purchased newuniforms for the band in the spring of 78.Money earned from the sale of fruitcakeswent back into the Band Boosters fund.Hawkins, who was transferred to Southfrom Binford Middle School, sees challenges for the band in the future. Wed liketo participate in the Marching Bands ofAmerica next year in Whitewater, Wise, forthe national championship. If we do that,we start practicing in May instead of June,he said. Hawkins and the band also plan toperform at the Indiana State Fair.Concerning the new surroundings andpeople, Hawkins says, Its tremendouslychallenging. I feel as if Im growing. Imlearning a lot, and the kids are excitedabout the direction the new program is taking; I think weve turned some heads in thecommunity about where were going.W 1TOP: Perfection is the key as junior BradBridges anticipates the next command.BOTTOM: The marching band, flag andrifle corps, and Pompettes completetheir first-division-rated halftime show inIndiana State Music Association competition at Huntingburg.Marching Band 39
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/1314
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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