Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Charleston, Missouri - Congratulations to the DHS and DMS Marching Bearcats for their victories this weekend at the Southeast Missouri Band Directors Association Marching Competition.
It's been an annual tradition for the Charleston R-1 School District to host the Marching Contest. Since the 1980's when the marching Bluejays needed new uniforms and decided to host a fundraising event they have invited area bands to compete on the street and on the field to raise money for the band.
In the parade competition they received: Outstanding Music, Outstanding Field Command, Outstanding Marching, and Outstanding Flags. 1st Place in their Division and Highest score of 20 high school bands in competition.
On the field, they received 2nd place in the 3rd division beating Park Hills and New Madrid County Central, and received the 4th highest score of the 14 bands in competition on the field! "We were even victorious over a band we’ve never beaten before," commented Scott Rybolt, DHS Band Director.
Bands performing included North County, Sikeston, Ste. Genevieve, Perryville, Jackson, Northwest, Puxico, East Prairie, Woodland, and Charleston.
Congratulations to the Dexter High School Band on their awards and performances Saturday. Mr. Jim Wade and his middle school students also competed well.
T.S. Hill Middle School finished in 1st Place in the parade portion of the marching contest. They scored a 72.25 beating Advance, South Pemiscot, Charleston, Caruthersville, and Richland. Of the 9 years under Mr. Wade's direction, the middle school has taken first place 8 times. Quite the record!
T.S. Hill Marching Bearcats also earned Outstanding Music, Outstanding Marching, Outstanding Percussion, and Outstanding Flags in the parade contest.
Not only did they receive 1st Place in their Division BUT they had the 4th highest score overall for the day. This included all the middle school and high school bands who performed, 26 total band for the day. Only three bands scored higher, one of which was the Dexter High School Band. Way to go Middle School!!
The Dexter community is extremely proud of each band student and for all that you do on and off the field. We appreciate your talents as well as your entertainment during pre-game and half-time shows.
Band directors Jim Wade and Scott Rybolt are very proud of their students regarding their effort and achievements at Charleston, and are also very thankful to the parents and community for their help and support.
