Appalachian Classic Band Competition 2018
By Scott Emerine | October 27, 2018
Tennessee High Mighty Viking Band Completes Season Sweeps Earns Second Straight Band of the Day Grand Champion Award
The Tennessee High School Mighty Viking Band (MVB) completed their first ever season sweep under the direction of Tennessee High Band Director David Semones. The band brought home numerous trophies from the Appalachian Classic Band Competition in Blountville, Tenn., by sweeping the class 3A Category.
The MVB won first place for color guard, drum major, percussion, music, general effect, and music and first in class 3A. In addition to all the first place trophies, MVB also took home the best band of the day award winning their second straight Grand Champion Award.
“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of these students,” said Tennessee High Band Director David Semones, after his band swept every category for the third straight band competition. “This is the first time in my career that the band has won first place in every category at every competition. To win grand champion two weeks in a row is an amazing accomplishment for these seniors. They have worked so hard and accomplished so much. I am blessed to have a dedicated staff that works tirelessly with the students. Without their help and the help of all the band parents, we could not have accomplished so much.”
Because of the wind and rain, the band played in the gymnasium, and that amplified the sound. Students were informed of the change hours before the competition and practiced a run in Viking Hall in Bristol, Tenn., before leaving.
“This year we competed with 57 bands. Our overall record was 55-2. The only two bands that scored higher than us at competitions were in classes above us with larger bands. This speaks volumes about the caliber of the music our students played and the execution on the plan,” said Semones.