AWM band earns awards at UAM contest

By Billy Woods

WM School District

The Academies of West Memphis band has completed another successful marching season.

The Blue Devil band, directed by Cathy Williamss and Kaitlin Roll, along with guard instructor Meghan Langley, recently were named the 2016 University of Arkansas Grand Champions at the UAM Marching Contest. Along with Grand Champions they were named Best in Class 5A, outstanding percussion, outstanding flag line as well as First Division Band, drum majors.

The band received a score of 97 out of 100 from three judges.

"It was pretty incredible," said Williams. "It was a musical, magical performance of the music from the Lion King. The kids really came together for that night's performance, highlighting a successful year of performances."

soloists this year included Ervin Jeffries, Joshua Foster, Elijah Robinson, Melanie Blakely, Lakendra Bradley, Tyson Covington and Jacob Armstrong.

The band also competed in the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Region Marching assessment in Searcy where the band received the top rating of Superior First Division for their performance.

Also, 12 Blue Devils made the all-region jazz band and five more made alternate, which means 17 of 19 made it to the clinics in Marion, meaning they get to audition for the all-state jazz band.

The all-regional students include Dumaurier Looney, Jeffries, Covington, Lee Pouncey, Anthony Perkins, Zakia Brown, Tyler Steele, Jason Scott, Cody Wordlaw, Ethan Griffin, Tyshawn Campbell and Elijah Robinson.