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.


      A marching band’s class size is determined by the total number of musicians—brass, woodwinds and percussion combined. South Hills High School falls under the 4A class size which means that their total number of musicians is between 91-120 musicians. 5A bands are between 121-150 musicians, and 6A bands are between 151-up (or fewer than 151 by Director’s choice).

South Hills' woodwind section performing at the Patriot Show.

      Although South Hills has a history of generating strong performances year after year, the early success this season still caught some people by surprise.

      “We were good almost every year when I went to South Hills, but nothing like this,” alumnus Peter Davi said. “I don’t think we were ever winning High Music or High General Effect-type of awards this early in the season, much less Sweepstakes.”

      Davi’s younger sister Marissa is a freshman alto saxophone player this year, so Davi and his mother go to tournaments to watch Marissa perform.

      “I remember watching Peter when he was in the band, and I remember [South Hills] being good when he was there, but this is crazy,” Peter and Marissa’s mother Sonia Davi said. “It’s nice to see the group improving every year. It’s exciting,” Sonia Davi said.

      While many of the parents and supporters of South Hills’ band and colorguard get excited to see them perform well and win awards, Director Mike Wooten keeps his emotions in check.

      “I want the group to perform well, and I enjoy winning awards, too, but I think it’s important that the students realize they are winning because they put in the work,” Wooten said. “I believe if the students put in the time and effort, and they get better every day, whether in music or in drill, then they will get rewarded for it,” Wooten said.