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By Staff Reports

The Flomaton Hurricane Band earned straight superior ratings at the Little Big Horn marching band contest at Opp High School on Oct. 21.

Flomaton Band Director Brittney Van Winkle said this accomplishment was a first in several years for the band.

“They also received the best in class percussion and best in class majorettes awards,” Van Winkle said. “What makes this victory even more sweet is how hard they worked to get here.”

Van Winkle said in July, many of the students were still needing to learn the fingerings and rhythms to be able to play the music. And the students were having to learn how to march and play the music at the same time.

“On Oct. 6, they were able to perform their halftime show to judges for the first time,” she said. “The majorettes and percussion received superior ratings while the rest of the categories received excellent ratings. The most valuable part of that competition was the feedback that the judges gave. With the help of myself and student leaders, we set up a rehearsal plan to address everything they suggested and got to work. It paid off immensely.”

Van Winkle said the band’s average score went up by 17 points, which is a huge gain.

Van Winkle said the band will have one more opportunity to perform for judges at the Dixieland Marching Contest at T.R. Miller.

“We hope to see everyone there,” she said.