The sound of jazz is getting louder in Atmore.

The Escambia County High School Blue Sound jazz band just completed its first year with a strong showing at Troy University’s Solo and Ensemble competition.

The group comprised of mostly eighth and ninth graders earned seven soloist medals and two duet medals.

“Some of the kids had three medals on their chests by the end of the day,” said ECHS Band Director Hayley Canterbury.

In addition to the awards, the band performed at this year’s Artmore event as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and reception, Canterbury said.

She said members of this year’s band “really tried hard” and were “really motivated.”

Two band members – eighth graders DeAndrea Wiggins, a tuba player and Jayla Adams, a baritone player – made district honor band this year.

“Those same two students were part of the Troy Honor Band,” she said.

Canterbury, a Flomaton High School graduate,  said she hopes that groups like the Blue Sound will produce an interest in band from students at the school and help grow it.

“I would like to see Atmore back to a 200 piece marching band,” Canterbury said.

ECHS had a concert band again this year and Canterbury hopes to start teaching beginner band classes at Escambia County Middle School next year. She has even gone so far as to travel to A.C. Moore Elementary to recruit fourth graders for the band next year.

“I hardly ever leave my classroom before 6 (p.m.),” Canterbury said. “We’re always trying to build the band.”