Louisville High School Band Director Clay Fuller stated that Louisville has always been a football town, and in years past it was also a band town, with LHS having a band that other schools needed to be wary of during competition. And the band was a source of pride, not only for Louisville, but for Winston County as well, consistently showing a dedication to hard work and excellence. The band was known as ‘The Pride of LHS!’
However, in recent years pride had slipped away from the band; participation levels dropped to under 40, and performance levels suffered greatly also. Many LHS alumni and community members were deeply saddened to see the decline, and there were those who wondered if the former glory could ever be regained.
It was in 2017 that Fuller returned to his alma mater and began the task of putting things right with the band, with the understanding that it would take some time. And in only two short years his efforts have begun to bear fruit, with the 2019 band numbering 78 members.
At the Crossroads Marching Classic held in Corinth, Mississippi, on Saturday, October 5, the Louisville High School band was named the Reserve Grand Champion for the entire competition and was judged the best band in its class, with Best Drum Major, Best Drum Line, Best Color Guard, and Best Overall Band.
This past Saturday, the band competed at Neshoba Central High School in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Region 3 Marching Band Evaluations with the following results: Superior Drum Major, Superior Drum Line, Superior Band, and the Color Guard received a 2.
Fuller stated that these results are greatly important to the band members as its boosts morale and confidence, proving to the students what they are truly capable of.
The turnaround in the band’s fortunes has not been easy. Fuller stated that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and he begins recruiting potential musicians in the fifth grade, sending out personalized invitations to those who show the most promise. Students are eligible to play in the band beginning in the sixth grade.
Fuller said that the band is very important, and for some kids it’s what keeps them coming to school. Fuller is assisted by Lyndsey Bobo, and under their leadership it appears that there are more great things in store.
