The Brookhaven High School band traveled this past Saturday to Wayne County where members marched their way to the top in the annual Wayne County Invitational Marching Competition.

The BHS band competed with 12 other high school bands in the newly renovated War Eagle Stadium in Waynesboro. BHS, led by Band Director Clay Fuller, ranked third in its class behind Clinton and Brandon high schools and placed fifth overall out of all 13 bands. BHS percussion was third overall and the band received all superior ratings.

“They’ve done a fantastic job, just the work they put into it; people don’t realize the hours and dedication that goes into it,” BHS Principal David Martin said. “They start in the summer with those long, hot hours practicing, and it all comes down to these competitions this late in the fall. They have just really come together as a group and performed well. [We’re] very proud of their showings.”

The competition was divided in four classifications based on the wind size of each band. The top three bands and caption (category) awards were awarded in each class, as well as the top three bands overall. Bands also received ratings, and were adjudicated (judged) using the MHSAA Championship format, with the exception of there being only one music performance judge and one visual performance judge. The bands were adjudicated on the captions music, visual, general effect music, general effect visual, percussion and color guard.

The Wayne County Band put together a highly-qualified adjudication panel to judge the event, including (listed with the caption he/she judged): Aaron Witek, of West Monroe, Louisiana, music; Chris Flick, of Indianapolis, Indiana, visual; Will Wells, of Columbus, Ohio, GE music; Patrick O’Donnovan, of Jackson, GE visual; Kevin Miles, of Indianapolis, Indiana, percussion; and Beverly Brahan, of Jackson, guard.