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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor 

ALABASTER – With two competitions under their belt and one more to go, 2024 is proving to be a remarkable season for Thompson High School’s Marching Southern Sounds band.

THS’ marching band walked away from competitions on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 with a slew of trophies to their name as they continue to perfect their step in preparation for the State Contest at Jacksonville State University on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“I think that the students did an absolutely remarkable job this year in every capacity,” said Graham Bennett, director of bands at THS.

The Marching Southern Sounds’ first competition of the season took place at Oneonta High School during the 26th annual Covered Bridge Marching Festival. The THS band competed in open class at 7:50 p.m.

After giving it their all, the THS band earned  some of its highest ratings ever with straight superior ratings in all categories, including band, drum major, percussion, majorette, dance team and color guard. Additionally, the drum majors, majorettes, dance team and color guard won best in class.

“I think that (the students) were blown away by how well it went,” Bennett said. “That first contest is always so nerve wracking and they came in and they just knocked it out of the park. They had a great, great experience.”

Afterward, the Marching Southern Sounds kept themselves from getting too prideful and continued to hone their show for their next big competition two weeks later in Pell City.

“They knew they had a great show, but they weren’t satisfied,” Bennett said. “They knew they could do better. And so, we came in, we had a couple weeks to prepare, we came in to Pell City and then they delivered.”

After performing in open class at 6:20 p.m. at the 44th annual Pell City High School Marching Festival, the band found their groove and delivered an even better show than before—impressing the crowd and judges alike.

“I would say Pell City was one of the best performances that the Marching Southern Sounds has ever had as a group since I’ve been here,” Bennett said. “The students knew that they moment they marched off the field, I could see it in their eyes. You (could) see tears running down some of their faces because they gave it their all.”

The THS band walked away from Pell City securing the honor of being named the Most Entertaining Performance of the Day. Additionally, the band earning superior ratings in every category and received awards for Best in Class Band and Best in Class Dance Team.

“Winning is fun, winning is kind of the byproduct sometimes but what’s most important is that they grew from the experience,” Bennett said. “They saw what their hard work could do.”