Starkville Academy Band Achieves All-Superior Ratings at Major Festivals

Starkville Shines as Academy Band Hits All the Right Notes!

Exciting news is blowing through our lovely town as the Starkville Academy Band celebrates a remarkable season filled with resounding success and accolades! During the much-anticipated Copiah Academy Marching Festival, our talented band members achieved All-Superior ratings across multiple categories—including Band, Drumline, Drum Major, Majorette, and Color Guard!

Top Honors Galore!

Not only did they snag those impressive ratings, but they also clinched first place overall in the Majorette category and earned second place for Best Band. Talk about a double whammy!

The band strutted their stuff again at the MAIS Marching Festival, where they once again proved their mettle. They received All-Superior ratings in the same categories and took first place overall in both Drumline and Color Guard. They secured second place for Best Band, Drum Major, and Majorette—a clear testament to their diligence and musical prowess!

Guided by Teamwork

Leading the charge is the spirited Haley Smith, Starkville Academy Band Director. Smith couldn’t help but beam with pride over her students’ accomplishments, especially given the unique hurdles they face with a combined seventh-through-twelfth-grade program. “Marching with seventh graders is tough because it’s their first time doing all of this,” she explained. “But our older students stepped up to mentor the younger ones, and it really showed in the results this season.”

Smith noted how the band’s camaraderie shone brightly from the very beginning of the season. “At band camp, they managed to finish almost their entire halftime show, which we’ve never done before,” she revealed. “They really enjoyed the disco-themed music and were motivated to do their best.”

What’s on the Horizon?

Now, the Starkville Academy Band has their eyes set on a busy schedule ahead! They will perform in the Starkville Christmas Parade, followed closely by their annual Christmas concert. But that’s not the end of the festivities!

The band is also gearing up for the Winter Guard season, with practices already in full swing and competitions lined up for February. The highly anticipated trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, in February 2025 is packed with performance and educational opportunities!

A Magical Experience Awaits

Students will take to the stage at the CityWalk Lagoon Stage and dive into an immersive Universal Studios Sound Design workshop focused on how sound effects and music are crafted for films. This year’s theme? The Lorax! “It’s an interactive experience where the students will play music that gets integrated into movie scenes,” Smith elaborated. “It’s an incredible opportunity to see how their talents can be applied beyond the marching field.”

Looking Ahead

The Starkville Academy Band, with its rich blend of hard work, passion, and teamwork, is poised for an exciting season ahead.