HHS band showing momentum
By submitted , 10/30/18 9:08 PM
The Hope High School Bobcat Marching Band performed its 2018-2019 marching contest show “Phoenix Rising: A Band Reborn” during halftime activities at HHS Senior Night at Hammons Stadium. The Bobcat Marching Band received a rating of “Excellent” in its presentation of the show at the Oct. 23 Arkansas State Band and Orchestra Association Region II Marching Assessment in Hot Springs.
HOPE – The Hope High School Bobcat Marching Band came off a highly-successful debut season last year under Hope Bands Director Julie Gladden’s staff, and is benefitting from that momentum this year.
HHS was awarded a rating of “Excellent” at the Oct. 23 Arkansas State Band and Orchestra Association Region II Marching Assessment.
The contest at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs featured performances by 21 high school bands from across west central and southwest Arkansas across enrollment classifications from 2A to 6A. Hope, DeQueen, Hot Springs, Arkansas High, and Lakeside competed in the 5A classifications.
“They did a great job,” Gladden said. “The band got many compliments on their playing and improvement, as well as how great the new band uniforms looked.”
In its first season under Gladden’s staff last year, the Bobcat Marching Band earned “Excellent” ratings at the Spa City Invitational in Hot Springs, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Invitational and the 2017-2018 ASBOA Region II Marching Assessment.
The bands program has taken its resurrection to heart this year with its contest season show “Phoenix Rising: A Band Reborn.” The band’s 2018 contest presentation draws upon the music of the Igor Stravinsky classic ballet “The Firebird,” the tale of the mythical Phoenix and its rise from the ashes as symbolic of the renewed spirit of the Hope bands program, according to Gladden.
The HHS program also hosted its first ever invitational marching competition Oct. 15 with 13 high schools from across Arkansas participating.
The Bobcat Marching Band currently has a performance contingent of 70 musicians.
Gladden is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a degree in music performance. She is assisted by Brandon Ellis, who holds a music education degree from Henderson State University; Kathryn Rose, a music education graduate of HSU with a vocal music teaching certification; and, Vincent Flieder, a graduate of UAM with a degree in music.
