South Hills has early success

But for Director Mike Wooten, praise needs to be earned.

     At the Patriot High School Show on Oct. 1, South Hills took home the High General Effect award, beating larger groups Chino High School and Rowland High School who are both 6A class bands. Two weeks later on Oct. 15 at the Rowland High School Show, South Hills High School’s marching band performed better than all other bands at the entire show, regardless of class size.

     South Hills High School’s Marching Band and Colorguard has achieved early success this season. While most high school groups across the region are still learning music and drill, South Hills has raised their level of expectations for themselves, and it shows. Through the first two field tournament competitions this season, South Hills has outperformed larger groups who are usually the bands that take home the biggest awards at any given show.

Second Show Week, 10/10-10/15

South Hills High School performed at the Rowland High School Show on Oct. 15. South Hills won the High Music, High General Effect, and Sweepstakes Band awards. Sweepstakes Band means that South Hills' band performed better than all other bands at the show, regardless of class size. Arcadia High School, a 6A group, won the Sweepstakes Auxiliary (colorguard) and Sweepstakes Percussion awards.

First Show Week, 9/26-10/1

South Hills High School's Band and Colorguard rehearsed on Monday night, Sept. 26, to prepare for the fast-approaching Patriot High School Show, their first field show tournament of the season, on Saturday, Oct. 1.

South Hills High School's Band and Colorguard performed at the Patriot Show and won the High General Effect award, beating larger groups Chino High School and Rowland High School.

Larger groups generally have a better chance of winning an award such as High General Effect because more musicians often means greater dynamic contrast within the music; and more performers occasionally means groups are able to do more intricate field drill for marching. South Hills must have done something unique to impress the judges and stand out from the other groups that performed at the Patriot Show.