Actual Newspaper Scan with Photo

St. Petersburg, Fla.
Author: JANE MADDEN WELCH

Tarpon Springs Band Collects a National Title

Copyright Times Publishing Co. Nov 24, 2005

Tarpon Springs High School's Outdoor Performance Ensemble can add another award to its growing list of honors.

At the Bands of America Grand National Finals competition Nov. 9- 12 in Indianapolis, the school won the Division AA national championship, taking first place in all three categories: music, visual and general effect. The Tarpon Springs band, one of three from high schools in Pinellas County to compete in Indianapolis, traveled to the RCA Dome and Indiana Convention Center for the national competition. East Lake and Seminole high schools also competed.

The 120-member ensemble also placed eighth overall, the only division AA band to make it into the top 12 along with the largest schools in the competition.

The award comes after the school won top honors in all categories in its division in the Bands of America Southeastern Super Regionals in Atlanta on Nov. 5.

"The Grand Nationals are the Olympics of band competitions," said Tarpon Springs band director Kevin Ford.

Ninety-six bands from across the country competed in three divisions, based on school size.

Tarpon Springs High School has been to the competition four times in six years and has won the title each time.

"The students worked extremely hard to come to this level of achievement," said Pam Ballew, a board member of the band boosters. Her daughter, junior Lindsey Richard, 17, has played the flute in the band since her freshman year. "It's been a positive, life- changing experience for her," Ballew said.

"Our band members show a tremendous amount of poise and dignity," said assistant principal Wayne McKnight, who was a chaperone on the trip. "That makes all of us proud."