By NEESEY PAYNE
neesey@southwesttimes.com
Pulaski County High School Golden Cougar Marching Band traveled to William Byrd High School in Vinton Saturday, competed in its first competition of the year at the Blue Ridge Preview of Champions, and came home with top honors.
The band, standing 65 strong, presented a patriotic show, called “American Faces.”
Although the Cougars were the only band to compete in their class, they received the highest visual score of the day.
Also, their combined scores in music, visual performance and overall effect beat eight other bands, earning the distinction of top band at the competition.
“They sounded great,” Band Director Patrick Butler said. It’s nice that we received such great scores, but we are still working to get better.”
“I was really proud of everyone,” Drum Major Charlie Tucker said. “In competition setting they really put their whole hearts into it.”
The United States Scholastic Band Association sponsored ten different band competitions last weekend, with over 100 bands in participation.
Pulaski County’s performance at William Byrd earned them a score of 76.25, ranking them the third highest scoring band in the nation.
The Cougars next competition will be Saturday, Oct. 1, when they travel to Central High School in Wise to participate in the Lonesome Pine Band Festival.
Patricia K. Williams
September 20, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Per Mr. Butler the director of the Pulaski County Golden Cougar Marching Band: Not only did the PCHS Golden Cougar Marching Band receive the highest score in their band competition last Saturday with their show of American Faces in Vinton with a score of 76.25, but the United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) a national competition circuit the PCHS Golden Cougar Marching Band had the highest score for 3A bands in the nation this weekend and had the 3rd highest score out of over 100 bands that competed nationally in classes 1A-6A.
Renea Clardy
September 29, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I was in the Golden Cougar Marching Band in 1995. I am proud of the band. They keep getting better and better with every passing year! Way to go Cougars!
Nicole Ward
September 21, 2011 at 8:31 am
We are so PROUD of all of our band students. They start working during the summer and put in long days during band camp in order to get the FULL program on the field and ready. These students put 100% and more into their playing, marching, and helping each other improve, and I am so happy to see that they are receiving a much needed “pat on the back” for such a great performance at their competition!
One Proud Band Mom
Nicole Ward
Deborah Rothausen
September 21, 2011 at 12:11 pm
This is the most awsome band show! Mr. Butler has worked hard to shape the band and they have worked hard to show superior in all areas. They work hard and play hard and it shows. Great work and congratulations to the band, Mr. Butler, drum majors Cody Slaughter and Charlie Tucker. You don’t know what this program means to me!
Christine
September 28, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Great article! Way to go cougars! A true hometown gem :D
Earl J. Covey
September 30, 2011 at 2:25 am
What pride I have of this band. I feel everyone in the County of Pulaski should take notice of Mr. Butler and the students of The Golden Cougar Marching Band in the way they perform each and every week during the football games. When the band is playing in the stands or performing on the field giving their halftime show. It’s not always about football. It’s about the pride of all the attributes this county is made up of and what it has to offer. Were All Cougars…We Are The Pride of Pulaski County.
Joretta Griffith
October 19, 2011 at 10:52 am
My granddaughter was in the marching band at her high school in Pinson, Al. I went to many of their band competitions and loved every second. I would love to see a video of your band on this website. Is there any chance of this happening?
Editor
October 20, 2011 at 10:31 am
We do have the capability to post videos on our web site; if someone has a video they can submit of the event, and if we have permission to use the video, we would be happy to post or at least link to it provided its content is approved.
Joretta Griffith
November 2, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Parents lets see some videos.
kimberley thornton
May 8, 2012 at 2:54 pm
i luv the marching band its been to great years for me and i luv the trip to fl