The announcer’s booming voice comes through the speakers, “And in first place and your 1A grand champs- the Highlands High School Marching Band.” Everyone looked at each other in awe. The marching band had just won the championship for the first time in school history. 

This major feat was accomplished at Simon Kenton High School on November 10, 2024. 

However, the road to championships began in early July. The band began practices after July 4, with the students putting in long hours—sometimes 12-hour days—learning the show. All the hard work and long hours paid off in the end, as the show came together exactly as they planned it. 

“The practices were very difficult because it was very hot but it paid off in the end because we got our show done early and led to us being able to clean the show more,” Virginia Hobson (10), guard captain, said. 

Taylor Lloyd (7) stands atop of a prop and hits her end-of-the-show pose. Photo by: Edy Hobson

The show this year was unlike any other year before it. The show was quite difficult for the students during the summer, but over the season they showed major improvement and performed the show like no other band could. 

“This year’s show was demanding. It was a high-level show where you had to work hard. Marching Band is hard to balance school and the rest of your life with,” Lori Duncan, Director of Band at Highlands Middle and High School said. 

The marching band overcame hardships throughout the season, such as the changes made in the instructors who worked with the students. 

There were several middle school students who were marching for the first time along with illnesses and injuries throughout the season. However, every student in the marching band worked hard to get past these and succeed on the road to championship. 

“A lot of conflicts within the percussion section, we came through a lot of adversity and we persevered because we got the best percussion at every competition besides championships,” Brady Smith (10), a student in the percussion section, said. 

Alex Lancaster(12), the drum major, gives her salute as she walks to get the trophy for best music, an amazing win against their top rival of the day, Washington County. Photo by: Edy Hobson

Many faced doubts on whether the show was able to be performed at its absolute best, but like many other challenges they faced, it was just another hurdle for them to jump over. 

“The show is way better. We all are dedicated, we all wanted the challenge to be a better band and it really showed at finals because we got first place,” Hobson (10) said. 

The marching band took it to the next level to get this show into production. 

The band invested in additional props, including a stage that students performed on to really get the visual effect they were looking for. They incorporated dancing and other movements while marching, and had several tough tosses on color guard. Duncan searched for the best instructors around the Northern Kentucky area to elevate the performance of the musicians and guard members.  

Brady Smith’s (10) favorite part of the season was working and learning from Nick Angelis. 

“[He is] one of the best snare drummers in the world and he’s working for our high school,” Smith said.

Percussionist Brady Smith (10) listens intently for instructions before going out for preliminary awards. Photo by: Edy Hobson

The school invested in a new sound system for the performance with an anonymous person donating a generator for the band to use in their performance. 

Additionally, there were many features included in this show. Students had different solos ranging from dance, flag, rifle, saxophone, and trumpet. There was also a low brass quintet featured early in the show. 

Every student that had a solo or feature worked hard to make them look and sound amazing.  In the third movement, Aiden Darnell (10) had an amazing trumpet solo and Hobson (10) had a solo on flag atop the stage. 

“My solo on flag was the first flag showing of the closer and it was really special because I got to do that as well as have a little dance solo while Aiden Darnell was playing his trumpet solo which was a very cool moment,” Hobson said.

Warren Huth (10) plays his saxophone for his solo he spent months perfecting in the show. Photo by: Edy Hobson

Everybody in the band can agree that they love performing. While it can be scary, performing the show in its full totality is something the students loved doing. The competitions were an exciting atmosphere for everybody to be in. 

“I really like performing when it’s dark out and it’s a very cool environment. It’s pretty electric to perform in a setting like that,” Smith said. 

The marching band is different in many ways from other sports. They can not sub in different players when someone’s struggling on the field. Every member has to perform at the highest level for each performance. 

What the band does have is family. 

Not blood-related, but the students essentially grow up together in the band for at least 7 years. This creates memorable moments in time that truly capture the essence of the marching band. For this year’s group, winning grand champion is something they will never forget.

“The great thing about this group was that we not only believed in ourselves but also each other. It seemed like an impossible task to get 1st place at championships but we all believed, and Alex Lancaster, our drum major and only senior, instilled that energy in us. It was very cool to experience that,” Smith said. 

Band director Lori Duncan and the only senior, Alex Lancaster (12) embrace in a heartwarming hug. Photo by: Edy Hobson