The Fannin County High School Band earned Grand Champion at the Lake Lanier Tournament of Bands at Chestatee High School Saturday, October 5.
“The Fannin County Band has had an outstanding competitive season,” Band Director Scott Barnstead said. “Our 2019 marching show is titled: ‘Tribute to the American Spirit’ [and] honors the determination and patriotism of our military, law enforcement, firemen and leadership that have made our country great.”
At the competition, the band earned the highest score of the day out of 14 bands, regardless of class. The band also earned first place color guard, first place percussion, Drum Major Lora Gwatney earned first place drum major and the band received an overall first place band in class 4A competition.
“The band also earned straight superior ratings in band, color guard, percussion and drum major,” Barnstead said.
Earlier in the season the band had earned first place in Class 4A at the Armuchee Invitational Band Contest Saturday, September 28. During this competition the band earned a superior band rating, superior drum line rating, superior drum major rating and excellent rating for the color guard. Gwatney also earned first place drum major in class 4A, the drum line earned second place in class 4A and the color guard earned third place in class 4A.
“The band earned an overall 3rd place finish out of 14 bands for the day regardless of classification,” Barnstead said.
The band hosted the Blue Ridge Mountain Marching Festival hosted by the Fannin County High School Band Booster Club with 19 bands from around North Georgia and East Tennessee Saturday, October 12.
“The Fannin County Band performed for a standing room only crowd and earned a standing ovation from the many bands in attendance,” Barnstead said. “Fannin County has a proud and rich tradition of excellence in bands beginning with the West Fannin High School Band, then in 1976 through the present with the Fannin County High School Band.”
Directors Barnstead, Mike Weaver and Donna Weaver thanked the Band Booster club parents and school administration for their hard work and support throughout the season. Barnstead said, “[We] would like to thank our hardworking Band Booster Club parents and their president, Sherry Gibbs, for all they have helped make possible through fundraising, feeding, collect donations, and supporting our students in every way possible. We would also like to thank Erik Cioffi, Principal and Dr. Michael Gwatney, Superintendent, for ensuring that band and the arts are valued in the education of the whole child.
“And finally, we would like to thank our communities in Fannin County that have always been enthusiastic supporters of the band. We look forward to seeing you soon as we continue to support the Fannin County High School Rebel Football Program, cheering them on to victory!”