James Clemens Band earns top awards

James Clemens Band takes the field in Hartselle.

Musicians and auxiliary marchers in the Jets Band from James Clemens High School weren’t intimidated by their first marching competition. In fact, they dominated.

The Jets earned top ratings across the board at the 16th Annual Southern Hospitality Marching Festival in Hartselle on Oct. 6.

Each unit of the Jets Band won a superior rating, which means trophies went to drum major, color guard, percussion and the entire band. The Jets Drumline won “Best in Class,” an award that marks the most outstanding performance with the band’s class.

James Clemens also earned the Challenge Cup at Hartselle. “The Challenge Cup is awarded to the band with the highest combined band and percussion score in each class,” band director Keith Anderson said. Stuart Tankesly is assistant director.

Sixteen bands entered the contest. James Clemens competed in Class 4a.

In its premiere year, the Jets Band has 87 members. Anderson arranged all show music and most in-stands music. Their show, “Take Flight,” features “Come Fly With Me,” “Jet Airliner,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Into the Clouds.” The drumline has three snares, one tenor (quads), four basses and four in front ensemble.

Band members marched in their new uniforms, designed by Anderson and Stanbury Uniforms. “The pants are black. The jacket is dark blue on the bottom right, Carolina blue to the top left with a silver stripe ascending from bottom left to top right,” Anderson said.

The Jets hat is black and repeats the jacket’s front design. Plumes are black, and gauntlets are dark blue.

The Jets Band now is preparing for upcoming “Sounds of the Stadium Concert” on Nov. 8 in the James Clemens auditorium. “This concert will feature all music from the James Clemens marching season,” Anderson said.

The band will perform “all in-stands, military salute program and halftime show music on stage in the auditorium. Also, the James Clemens alma mater will be debuted, along with the selected lyrics submitted by James Clemens students, faculty, staff and administration,” Anderson said.

Tickets will go on sale soon and will be available from any James Clemens band student.