Thirty-three high school marching bands took the field at Milner Stadium, Gulfport High School’s home field, for the Region V State Marching Evaluation, each competing for top marks in music and marching precision.
WLOX reported that Gulfport High School opened the evaluation on its home field after months of practice. Drum major Lily Harrien called the performance the best run the ensemble has ever had, while saxophone player Adam Holland said the group performs for fun and for the people who support them.
Collins High School also competed, with drum major Kayleigh Dixon hoping for straight ones, a result that would make school history after two consecutive weeks of top scores. Senior Amyiah Lockhart said she was waiting for results.
Students told WLOX that scores were not the only reward from the season. Holland described the band as a family, and Lockhart said small-town bands run on family. Gulfport drum major Noah Young said music connects hundreds of people, while Dixon noted band members can always look beside them and know someone has their back.
The evaluation ran until 8 p.m., with bands seeking to advance to the state competition.
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