1000 x 90

WHS Marching Band Wins Honors at Kenny Woody Memorial Cup and Avery Viking Classic

band-1
From left to right: Calimae Vestey, Jonathon Taylor, Nick Simon, RJ Christian and Jackson Propst

The Watauga High School Pioneers Marching Band earned the Kenny Woody Memorial Cup for their display of spirit and pride and won second place in their class at the Avery Viking Classic marching band competition on Sept. 24.

The band also took first place in Drum Major for the competition. The drum majors for the Pioneers are Autumn Blackwell and Becca Yoblinski.

Director Josh Ogle remarked that the band’s strong performance reflected the time and effort they have invested in practice and rehearsals. “Our students have been working hard this year preparing our show “Our High Country Home,” Ogle commented. “The show is a journey into our wonderful town of Boone and the rich cultural heritage of our area. It’s important that students and others know about the background of our town and what it means to be from Boone, and I think anyone who appreciates a good band will enjoy seeing and hearing the show.”

Ogle is in his first full year at the high school and is very pleased with the development of the Pioneers Marching Band. “We are steadily growing our marching band program and currently have 57 members. It is an absolute honor to be the band director of such a fine organization and school. I look forward to continuing the rich traditions and building on the success of our program at Watauga High School.”

Band members also have good things to say about the marching band program. Owen Warmuth, a senior and Co-Band Captain who has played in the band for three years, is enthusiastic about this year’s show and the band’s work. “It is awesome to have a show that has such a deep meaning about our area and represents us so well. We have a huge sense of family this year and our dedication and hard-work has really shone through. I want to thank our directors Josh Ogle and Will Selle for the time and effort that they give our band to make us strive for excellence, and I am also grateful to the band members for making this what will be a memorable year.”

The Watauga High School Pioneers Marching Band performs this year’s show “Our High Country Home” in three movements. The first represents a journey on the Parkway into Boone featuring the tunes “Hi Hi Yikas,” “On Watauga,” and “Simple Gifts”. Once in Boone, the band recognizes local legends Daniel Boone and Doc Watson with Movement 2, “The Pioneers.” Movement 3 is a call to the area’s Celtic Heritage with the tune “Loch Lomond”. Next the band takes everyone on a journey aboard the Tweetsie Railroad and finishes with “Appalachian Spring,” paying homage to our home in the Appalachian Mountains.

The Pioneers Marching Band will perform at the remaining home football games October 21st and November 4th. The band will also perform at South Caldwell High School October 8th, Forbush High School October 15th, and at ASU October 29th.

band-3
From left to right: Owen Warmuth, Cadie Mitkus and Carlos Escobar
band-6-1
From left to right: Madyson Ward and Andrew Cole
band-2
From left to right: Emma Alexander Eitzman, Owen Warmuth and Cadie Mitkus