Ford
	BARKLEY THIELEMAN/The Sun Second in national contest: The Lone Oak High School marching band placed second in its division at the Bands of America Grand Nationals competition at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis last weekend.

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

The Lone Oak High School marching band has finally made a name for itself in national competitions.

The band, perennial winners of regional competitions, placed second in its division at the Bands of America Grand Nationals competition at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis last weekend.

"It was really interesting meeting a bunch of people, and this year they actually knew who we were," said field commander Katy Myers, a senior. "It was exciting. We wanted to keep up the tradition."

The band has grown accustomed to winning. This year it has won at least 17 trophies and seven plaques, including placing fourth in the state championship and third at Murray State University's Festival of Champions.

Ninety-four bands from 32 states competed at nationals. Lone Oak competed against 19 schools in the Class A division. "We've made the semifinals before, but we've never finished this high," band director Scott Ford said. "We also received a Division 1 rating, which is the highest rating you can get. This is the best season the band has ever had."

The Lone Oak band has 145 members, but only 114 students participate in the voluntary marching band. Liz Wontor, a band captain who plays the baritone , is one of 28 seniors in the band. "I've been in the band since sixth grade," Wontor said. "Since then I've always looked up to the marching band people."

The band was the first one to perform in the competition, playing at 7:45 a.m. Friday. They performed "Carmina Burana," which is based on 14th century poems and hymns. "We were worried about the kids' being tired, but they seemed to be awake and alert and ready to roll," Ford said.

The group finished second, two points behind Jackson Academy, a private school in Mississippi. It won best overall effect in Class A, which judges the composition of the show. "Some of the kids were disappointed because we all felt we had a shot," Ford said. "I think we ended the season with the best run, which is unusual because you tend to get burned out as the season goes on."

The band will be recognized by McCracken County Schools Superintendent Tim Heller during a free concert set for 7 p.m. Monday at the high school gymnasium.