GHS Band Grand Champs

Gilmer High School — The Gilmer High School Marching Band performed and competed in the Chief Ladiga Marching Band Festival at Piedmont High School in Piedmont, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 12. 

Under the direction of Joe Pflueger, assisted by Holly Kinsey, the GHS Band was crowned Grand Champions of the day, receiving the highest overall combined score out of 15 bands competing. 

All captions (band, drum line, color guard and drum major) earned the highest possible rating of Superior with each being first in class. Furthermore, the GHS band had the highest visual score of the day, earning the prestigious Don Wheeler General Effect Award, named after the late Piedmont High School band director. 

In addition to the success of the band overall, the GHS drum line had the highest percussion score of the entire competition, and the GHS color guard (under the direction of Jessica Kamholz and Rebeka Christa) placed second, scoring only a point behind the top group of the day. Senior Elizabeth Chesser, with a score of 97, earned the honor of being named Best Drum Major, not only in the 4A division but in the entire competition. 

“This past weekend at the Chief Ladiga Band Competition was one of the best experiences I’ve had while in the GHS Band,” says Chesser. 

“The thrill of performing and the emotion we were able to incorporate into the music made my time on the stand exhilarating. I’ve been so blessed to be a member of the GHS Band for four years and the drum major this past year. Our show “It is Well” and the GHS Band never ceases to amaze me.” 

Assistant Drum Major Hannah Walker continued, “I think we had the best performance of the season. After all our hard work, the emotional aspects came together and pushed us to have the honor of being Grand Champions. After all the awards were presented, we had a total of 11 trophies. However, Mr. Pflueger reminds us that ‘It doesn’t matter how much plastic we bring home, meaning he wants us to do this for the memories and our passion for music.”

As the final band performing in the event, the GHS Marching Band took the Piedmont field last Saturday to perform their 2019 production entitled ‘It is Well’. Based on the hymn song “It is Well with My Soul,” the show takes the audience on a journey of darkness to light, reminding the listeners that even in the worst of times, we can always find hope. 

Beginning with a small ensemble playing “Salvation is Created,” the GHS Band performs the chilling “Dies Irae” from the Verdi Requiem.  Growing into a beautiful and moving rendition of “It is Well with My Soul,” the show reaches a triumphant conclusion with an arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

The 135 members of the GHS Marching Band began rehearsals July 18, long before classes began for Gilmer County students. After nearly two weeks of full-day band camp, the group began rehearsing almost every day after school in addition to their Friday night duties at the GHS football games. 

“I am extremely proud of the students and how they have persevered through the extreme heat and humidity during our marching season,” says Pflueger, 

“Due to the demands of a very difficult show musically and visually, the show has developed a bit slower than some of our previous years. Our motto this year is ‘Get One Percent Better’ each time we practice or perform our show. The hard work paid off for the GHS Band members this past Saturday night when they performed the best of the season.”

Continuing this sentiment, Kinsey echoes, “The band continues to improve with each and every practice. It truly is a testament to the determination and work ethic of these students that they continue to get better at every rehearsal even though we are already three months into this process. 

“I am proud of the work they have done and will continue to do the remainder of the season.”