DHS marching band finishes sixth in state competition, earns highest marks for West Tenn.

Emily DiGirolamo, Landon Moore, Shelby Pleasant and Jackson Lay kick off the Dyersburg High School Marching Band's performance in the state competition as a featured quartet at the beginning of the show. The DHS Golden Trojan Marching Band finished a strong sixth place in the State Division II Band competition - placing higher than bands their size from West Tennessee including Obion County Central, McNairy Central, Milan and Gibson County.

The Dyersburg High School Golden Trojan Marching Band recently finished a strong sixth place in the State Division II Band Competition.

To attend the state competition, band members left DHS at 5:30 a.m., competing for the first time in preliminary competition at 11:45 a.m. against 20 of the 22 bands registered.

One of only eight in the preliminary competition to earn Superior rating in each of the drum major, percussion, color guard and band categories, the DHS band members secured a spot in the finals and were drawn to perform first in the evening competition.

DHS Golden Trojan Marching Band member Emily DiGirolamo finished third place as a soloist in the preliminary competition and second place in the finals at the recent State Division II Band competition. Drum Major Michelle Bostic, Percussion and Color Guard also ranked fourth, sixth and fifth, respectively, in the state competition. [Click to enlarge]

"The band directors draw a number that tells you when you play in the finals; we went first," said Band Booster and parent Tonya Wells. "That's normally not a good thing, but since the kids had been up for such a long time, we figured that it was in their best interest."

The DHS band's performance did not appear to be affected by the order they were chosen to compete.

Emily DiGirolamo finished third place as a soloist in the preliminary competition and went on to earn second place in the finals. Also in the finals, Drum Major Michelle Bostic finished fourth, Percussion placed sixth and the Color Guard had a fifth-place finish.

"As it was, it turned out great!" said Wells. "The kids did great. (They) beat one of the bands that beat them the week before - Peabody Trenton. In Finals, the band finished a strong sixth place beating out all bands from West Tennessee that they competed against - Obion County Central, McNairy Central, Milan and Gibson County - so they were the 'Best in West Tennessee.'

"We didn't get to the hotel that evening until sometime after 11:30 p.m.," continued Wells. "It was a very long day, but was a very good season for the kids. All of their hard work paid off. These kids are dedicated to doing their best and that's exactly what they did. They had a great showing."