The high school band season is only a few weeks old, however                                     Hurricane's Marching                               Redskins have already                                 collected three Grand                                 Champion trophies.

With three competitions under their belt so far, the Hurricane High Band has had a strong start to the 2007 competition season.  Performing their show entitled “Us:  Through, Around, Within” the band is achieving success around West Virginia.

At the Music in the Mountains Festival in      Kingwood, on September 22nd Hurricane was awarded first place in band, drum major and percussion in addition to overall grand champion out of a field of 15 bands from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

Competition at the Cabell Midland Band Contest in Ona on September 29th was also strong, as Hurricane was awarded second place in auxiliary, first place in percussion and band and overall Grand Champion in a field of nine bands including Capital, Princeton, Huntington and Spring Valley.  Erica Casto was named Outstanding Soloist.  The band then traveled to the Buckeye Classic in Ironton, Ohio, featuring 15 bands from Ohio and West Virginia.  Hurricane captured overall first place honors in percussion, auxiliary, band and was named Grand Champion for the second time that day.

This year’s Hurricane High Band has 73 members and is led by senior drum major Alyssa Anderson. 

Under the direction of Sam Leffingwell, Jr., Hurricane will continue their competition season at the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins on October 6th. 

Upcoming events include the Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Marshall University and the USSBA Nationals at Baltimore, Maryland.      

On October 13th, Hurricane will be hosting the Tournament of Bands West Virginia State Championship at University of Charleston      Stadium in Charleston.  Top competition bands  from across the state will be vying to be named the WV State Champion. 

The success of the band isn't surprising to its supporters. "They worked throughout the summer honing their talents in the pursuit of excellence," says Jerry Beaver.