Honoring the Apex High School Marching Band

Taylor Tyson
Staff Writer

​    And that is a wrap! As the Marching Band Season draws to a close, just take a moment to commemorate this year and how far the Apex High School Marching Band has come. The AHSMB ended the marching season off with the award for Grand Champion at Cary Band Day. Alike to most local bands, AHSMB values Cary Band Day as their final hoorah, their last chance to shine against tough local competition. After countless losses, the AHSMB has won the Class 4A/5A Grand Champion Award for their exemplary performance of My Spanish Heart for the first time in over a decade.
       
           With over one hundred members, the Apex High School Marching Band is setting new standards. In a previous interview with Mr. Jarvis, he discussed the “growing pains” that the band was enduring such as the loss of their old band director, Mr. Rowe, and the shift in members. Although the band is changing, their overall goals have not changed. Striving for respect, inspiration, dedication, and excellence, the AHSMB is not shying away from any obstacle. Also, for the first time in over ten years, a junior is Drum Major. 

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Drum Major Detrich Morrison-Jones (11) after winning Cary Band Day.

      Detrich Morrison-Jones, the AHSMB’s current Drum Major, is leading the band to victory. Winning the 1st place Drum Major Award at Cary Band Day, Northwest Guilford Fall Festival, and Central North Carolina Band Festival, Morrison-Jones has been a member of the marching band since freshman year, playing the baritone. When Morrison-Jones is not conducting, you can hear him reading the announcements as the Junior Class President.

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The Visual Ensemble after winning 1st Place Color Guard at a competition.

      Do not forget about the Visual Ensemble. The Visual Ensemble instructor is back and ready to take the color guard up a notch. His previous experiences range from competing with Carolina Crown, the ultimate Marching Band, to teaching collegiate color guards. From their stellar tosses to their incredible leaps, Visual Ensemble continues to amaze fans with their intricate choreography that displays a visual journey alongside the musical story line. Winning 1st place Color Guard at the NW Guilford Fall Festival, Central NC Band Festival, and Southview Bumble in the Jungle, the Visual Ensemble is soaring to new heights, led by junior section leader Zoë Lukas. This year, Visual Ensemble will even team up with Athens Drive High School’s winter guard program where the ensemble will compete exclusively at indoor competitions.

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          Overall, 2015 has been a revolutionary year for the AHSMB. Dealing with the obstacles that the year has presented, the band has once again proved that they are and forever will be the best. Here is to a great year for the marching band!
 
Below is a list of some of the AHSMB’s achievements this year:

• Cary Band Day Grand Champion Class 4A/5A
• Cary Band Day Hartwell Perkinson Drum Major of the Day
• NW Guilford Overall Class 5A
• NW Guilford Music Performance Class 5A
• Central NC 2nd Place Grand Champion
• Central NC Eddie Hams Memorial Award Class 4A
• Southview 2nd Place Music Class 4A