Local marching bands excel at Charleston

Marching bands from both Dexter High School and T.S. Hill Middle School came away victorious from the recent weekend's Southeast Missouri Band Directors Association Marching Competition at Charleston.

In the Parade Competition, the DHS Marching Band attained earned awards for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Field Command, Outstanding Marching, and Outstanding Flags. Additionally, they received First Place in their division and received the highest score out of 20 bands in the competition.

On the field, the high school band received second place in the third division and earned the fourth highest score of the 14 bands in competition on the field.

The Dexter High School Marching Bearcats are pictured above in class.

"We were victorious over high school bands that we have never beaten before," said Band Instructor Scott Rybolt. "I am extremely proud of these students."

The T.S. Hill Marching Band were likewise noted for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Marching, Outstanding Percussion and Outstanding Flags.

They additionally earned First Place in their division and eared the fourth highest score of all 26 bands at the competition, which included the high school bands.

Pictured at right are the Dexter Middle School Marching Bearcats.

"Only three bands scored higher than T.S. Hill Middle School," Rybolt noted, "and one of those was Dexter High School."

Rybolt also noted that the Middle School Marching Band has placed first in eight of their last nine times at the Southeast Missouri Band Directors Association Marching Competition, and credited Middle School Band Instructor John Wade with that achievement.