Share on Facebook

The West Johnston High School Marching Band placed third in Class AAA at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, this past weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium. The band spent five days in Indianapolis competing with ninety of the best high school marching bands in the nation for the title of national champion. West Johnston's third place finish is the highest they have ever placed at the National Championships.

In addition to their third place finish in class, West Johnston placed nineteenth regardless of class in Saturday's semi-final competition. This is the third time in the last four years that the West Johnston Marching Band has won a spot in the elite top twenty. They did not compete at the 2008 National Championships due to their appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They are the only high school band from the state of North Carolina to achieve this honor in the last fifteen years.

"We could not be more excited about placing in our class and making the top twenty again this year!" stated Director of Bands M. Lance Britt. "Our trip to nationals was very successful both on and off the field. We could not be more proud of our kids for performing so well in both prelims, semi-finals, and throughout the season" Britt continued. "We are so happy that our kids’ hard work and dedication was rewarded by the judges and the audience at nationals. To be one of the top twenty bands in the nation for the last four years is an incredible accomplishment!"

The Bands of America Grand National Marching Band Championship is a single elimination tournament. Ninety bands performed in the preliminary round of competition and are divided into one of four classes based on school size. Following the preliminary round, the field was cut to the thirty-four highest scoring bands regardless of class for the semi-final round. At the conclusion of semi-finals, the awards for first, second, and third place in each of the four classes was announced and the field was cut to the top twelve bands. Those top twelve bands performed in "Finals" last Saturday night where the new National Champion, Avon High School from Avon, Indiana was crowned.

While at the national championships one of the band’s drum majors, Brandon Allen of Smithfield, received one of three scholarships awarded annually at the national championships. He received the Yamaha Scholarship in the amount of $1000.00 which is awarded to a senior planning to pursue a degree in music in college.

"We are so happy for Brandon for receiving yet another prestigious scholarship for his outstanding work. He is a truly exceptional student and leader," explained Britt. Brandon won the coveted Bob Hope Scholarship last year at the Macy’s Parade which is awarded
to one student performing in the parade each year. That award of $10,000 is divided equally between the band member and the band he represents.

In their eight year history the West Johnston High School Band has attended the national championship five times. The band has never placed lower than twenty-first regardless of class in the nation in their five appearances. In addition, the band represented the State of North Carolina at the 55th Inaugural Parade to honor President George W. Bush on January 20, 2005 and at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last year. "It has been our pleasure to represent our school, community, and state throughout the country. I know no better way to promote our county and the positive things going on in all of our schools than by sending our students to represent us on the national stage!" Britt concluded.

The band is hosting their annual Reverse Raffle this Friday night, November 20, at 6:00 pm at the Landmark Building off of Cleveland School Road at Highway 42. Tickets are $100.00 each and the winning ticket is worth $5000.00. Only 300 tickets will be sold. More information regarding the West Johnston Band’s Reverse Raffle and its various programs and events can be found at www.wjhsbands.org.