The Hope Lions Club heard a program on the “Sound of Hope”, the Hope High School Band, from Director of Bands Christian Davis on Monday (10-29). Mr. Davis said the marching band numbers just under 100 this year. He explained the band’s practice schedule and noted they sometimes even practice on the weekends. Mr. Davis brought a couple of the band’s recent trophies. The band recently competed at a contest at Lake Hamilton and won their class. At Cabot, they also won their class. Another contest was at Bryant and they won their class division there. They also have a regional competition this week.
The band is going to a competition called “Bands of America”. This is a national contest and last year they went to it at Midland, Texas and won their class. This year will compete in Memphis. He noted this is especially good as the band gets to compete plus see the best bands in the nation. Despite being a 4-A school, Mr. Davis says they are beating 6-A and 7-A schools in contests. The band will compete in the state marching contest November 2nd. He also noted the band has two uniforms also.
Davis said they are having an influx of students sign up for band in 6th -grade and he attributes that to the current success the band is experiencing. Last year 86 signed up, this year over 150 signed up. He also noted band members are being scouted by college bands. These include SAU, Henderson, Ouchita, and even LSU.
Mr. Davis was asked about how they are coping with feeding the band when they’re traveling. He noted he is a “penny-pincher” but feeding the band is very expensive. Even if they eat the cheapest fast food, it costs nearly $1,000 to feed the band.
Mr. Davis noted the physical demands of the program have the band members in good shape.
As Mr. Davis concluded his program, Lions President Josey Carlton presented Mr. Davis with a check for the band from the club. Lion Steve Atchley invited Mr. Davis to bring the program.
Our best wishes go to Mr. Davis and his staff and the “Sound of Hope” for their excellent representation of Hope!
