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• Grant County continues to set record numbers at Northern Kentucky Select Band Auditions

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Brianna Boulware, Michael Brown, Chris Collopy, Katelyn Hagedorn, Taylor Lister, Kyle Neeley, Madison Pelfrey, Destiny Taylor, Tyler Walls, Nathan Witte (1st chair)

HIGH SCHOOL: Katie Anneken, Jaclyn Ball, Elayna Bradley, Kayla F. Combs, Harley Delaney, Billy Engelman (1st chair in district!), Steven Fightmaster (1st chair), Lucas Hampton, Corey Hermens (1st chair), Casey Hinton, Samantha Howland, Whitney Johnson, Trevor Nantz (1st chair in district!), Ciara Nichols, Ashleigh Rhoton, Josh Rose (1st chair), Zach Schwartz, Caitlin Smith, Tristan Suel, Sadie Suel, Nathan Taylor (1st chair in district!), Clayton Tipton, Mark Warner, Nikki Wolfe

A total of 34 kids will represent Grant County.

• Grant County band students excel at All-State Auditions

Congrats to the nine students who secured their spots to the Kentucky All-State Band and Jazz Bands.  Whitney Johnson, Corey Hermens, Luke Hampton, Nichelle Wolfe, Billy Engelman, Elayna Bradley, Nathan Taylor, Trevor Nantz and Clayton Tipton.

• Grant County Marching Band brings home third consecutive State Runner-up plaque, making their 10th appearance in KMEA State Finals

Grant County Marching Band ended their season Saturday, October 29, 2011 on a high note.  For the third consecutive season, the band proudly returned home with the KMEA Class 4A State Runner-up plaque making that the tenth plaque the marching band has earned in the school’s history.

The day started off for the band early as they travelled to Glascow, Kentucky for their Semi-final performance at 2:30 CST in Class 4A.  Sixteen bands took to the field one at a time; all striving for the top four scores that would later advance them to State Final competition at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

 When the band came off of the field after their performance, screams and tears could be seen by onlookers as the band celebrated their best performance of the season.  They didn’t know if it would be enough to secure them a finalist spot, but they knew that they had left everything they had on the football field and it would be up to the judges to determine if they were worthy of one of the top four slots. 

 As the announcements of finalists were read, you could see the band members huddled together in hugs and holding hands in anticipation of the announcement of finalists named in performance order.  A huge sigh of relief came as Grant County was named as a finalist, along with Madisonville North Hopkins, West Jessamine and John Hardin.  Once the directors drew for final performance times, it was determined that Grant County would be the final band to perform in Class 4A at 9:45pm. 

Upon arriving at Western Kentucky University, the celebration of the bands advancement to finals competition came to an end as the band went into concentration mode in preparation for their evening performance.  At 9:45pm, the Grant County Marching Band took the field in finals competition and gave a stellar performance of their 2011 show “Video Killed the Radio Star”.  The band walked out for final retreat with their heads held high, despite what the judges had decided for them, they already knew they were Champions.  Having the opportunity to perform in the KMEA State Championships has been the goal of the band since band camp; whether they finished First place or Fourth place, having the chance to perform on the turf at WKU was their mission and the goal they set for themselves.   To others they are known as the Grant County Marching Band, but ask a member of the band who they are and they will tell you that they are a family, a proud family that was thrilled to accept the plaque of KMEA Class 4A State Runner-up

 

• Another record breaking year for Grant County Bands...and the year has just begun.

With 2011 just beginning, Grant County Middle School and Grant County High School Band programs are off and running.  With 14 middle school students and 19 high school students selected for the Northern Kentucky Select Bands, this is the largest number of students that Grant County has seen selected. 

The middle school, tied in second place with the largest representation of students.

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID OWENS

2010 Most Outstanding Young Band Director of the Year Award

for the state of Kentucky. 

This is an award that is given by the Phi Beta Mu (the International Band Masters Fraternity)

 

• "Madison Winds" quintet visits Grant County High School

  On Thursday, September 23, the “Madison Winds” quintet performed for the band members of Grant County High School.  “Madison Winds” is a faculty woodwind quintet from Eastern Kentucky University.  Members included Kristen Kean (flute), Elizabeth Young Rennick (oboe), Connie Rhoades (clarinet), David Bryant (bassoon), and Mick Sehmann (horn).  Performing an energizing concert of music, the faculty also discussed college scholarships, how to prepare for college auditions, and the benefits of being in band.  Sophomore student Jennifer Colson said, “it was inspiring to see people who strive for excellence and help others achieve, Dr. Sehmann and the others made me want to practice to make myself better!”

  Madison Winds quintet members are Kristen Kean - flute, Elizabeth Young Rennick - oboe, Connie Rhoades - clarinet, David Bryant - bassoon, Mick Sehmann - horn. 

• Grand Champions at Beechwood Festival of Bands, September 11, 2010

From the field level, looking into the stands at Beechwood High School, you could see a sea of blue and orange cheering on as Grant County Marching Band was announced as Grand Champions at the 2010 Beechwood Festival of Bands on September 11.

Earlier in the day, with the threat of rain looming, Grant County took the field in Class AAAA Preliminary Competition, earning a distinguished rating with their first competitive performance of the season.

One at a time, ten outstanding bands took the field in finals competition, with Grant County slotted to go on at 8:30pm.

With the top three placements of the evening all earning distinguished ratings, Grant County was awarded the Grand Champion Banner with a score of 86.95 and earning awards in 3 captions.

Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to Williamstown Band of Spirit with Ryle earning third place.

During the Grant County encore performance, the Band of Spirit stood on the sidelines watching and supporting their fellow County Band.  After the performance Bob Gregg and the band went onto the field to congratulate the Grant County band, a role change from the 2009 competition when Grant County earned RGC and Williamstown took home the festival banner.

Field Commander Lucas Hampton was pleased with the results, “If you want great things to happen, you have to expect nothing less than the best at all times,” Hampton said. “I feel the bands sections leaders and I are always pushing the band to put everything they can into this show and it is always great to see it pay off.”

“We go out there not only to capture the flag, but to capture the moment”, one band was overheard telling a parent, and at Beechwood this past Saturday, that is just what they accomplished.

Grant County will be travelling to Madison Central High School in Richmond, Kentucky where they will perform in preliminary competition against Madison Southern at 3:00pm. 

 

• Grant County Marching Band Wins 4A East Regionals

  On Saturday, October 31, 2009 the band performed at AAAA East Regionals at Madison Southern in Berea.  Competing against some tough competition, the band knew it needed to come out strong.  After an hour delay due to weather conditions, the competition got off to a great start.  Grant County finally took the field at 1:45pm.

  The band entered the field with determination and drive, and when they left the field at the end of their performance, they had no doubt in their mind that they had just performed their show "Four" to the best of their ability.  Each member gave 120% despite the slick and muddy field.

  Grant County Marching Band won 4A East Regionals with a distinguished score of 88.  The band advances to Semi-finals on November 7, 2009 at South Oldham High School drawing the 9th slot of 16. 

• GRANT COUNTY MARCHING BAND FINISHES REGULAR SEASON AT BOONE

October 24, 2009

Mud and white pants are not usually a good combination, however put those two together on a cool October Saturday and you have a typical marching band competition that is accompanied by a rainy season.  Grant County Marching Band completed its regular season Saturday at the Boone County Rebel Classic.  During preliminary competition, the band competed against former 5A band, Montgomery County.  Although the field was not in favorable conditions, the band succeeded in sweeping their class and earned another distinguished performance. 

During finals competition, all of the bands stepped up to the plate to fight for the top spots and gave crowd pleasing performances.  Grant competed in finals with 9 other bands including Adair, Beechwood and Williamstown.   At the end of the night, Grant County Band finished 4^th overall with a distinguished score of 86.75.  “I am really proud of the kids, they have had a wonderful season so far, but it’s not over yet.  Now that we enter into Quarterfinals this weekend, it is time for them to kick into high gear and really show what this band is made of”, said band director David D. Owens.

 

• Grant County brings home Governors Cup from 38th Annual Northern Kentucky Marching Band Festival at Campbell County
  September 19, 2009

When Grant County Marching Band took the field at the 38^th Annual Northern Kentucky Marching Band Festival held at Campbell County, they had one goal….be undeniably a better band than they were the previous week. With great pride, they not only accomplished their goal, but they won Grand Champions and brought home the much sought after Governors Cup. 

In preliminary competition, Grant County was the only 4A band to compete in its class and brought home 1^st place in all captions.  At the end of preliminaries, Grant County was sitting 0.6 behind Milford High School, the band became the little engine that could. 

In finals competition, Grant County performed immediately following Milford High School, and when they came off of the football field, you could see the excitement that was emulating from them all the way from the top of the bleachers…They knew what they had just accomplished, they knew they were bringing home the Cup.

The band will have a weekend off this weekend, but that doesn’t mean they get to rest.  It just gives them an extra week to take their performance to yet another level.  The following weekend they will be hosting their 9^th Annual Marching Band Contest (October 3, 2009) at Grant County High School.  All Grant Countians are encouraged to attend and show their support as Williamstown Band of Spirit competes and Grant County Marching Band performs in exhibition.

 

• Grant County earns Reserve Grand Champion at Beechwood
  September 12, 2009

Led onto the field for the first time by new field commander Lucas Hampton, Grant County Marching Band started the season off with a bang as they brought home Reserve Grant Champion behind a fellow Grant County band, the Williamstown Band of Spirit.

They performed their repertoire “4” at 3 p.m. at the 19th annual Beechwood High School Festival of Bands and later competed in finals among 10 other bands.

“It was great to see success early, considering our show isn’t even finished.  We need to continue getting stronger and cleaner, but the kids have worked extremely hard and it’s nice to have a payoff.  Now, it’s back to work,” band director David D. Owens said.

This was a proud moment not only for the Grant County Marching Band, but for Grant County.

Brad Johnson, Grant band booster vice-president, shared in the excitement of the bands celebration.

“I think it is wonderful that Grant County has so many quality musicians that two bands within Grant County are able to bring home Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Both bands had a wondrous weekend and I can’t wait to see them both at Papa John’s Stadium,” Johnson said.

In addition to Reserve Grand Champion, Grant also won first in its class during preliminary competition.

Grant County Marching Band will be traveling to Campbell County Middle School in Alexandria on Sept. 19. Grant County will host its ninth annual Marching Band Competition at Grant County High School on Oct. 3.

• New Band Director Announced
  June 20, 2009

  David D. Owens is entering his first year as the Director of Bands at Grant Co. High School, joining the faculty in July 2009.  Mr. Owens hails from Corbin, Kentucky and was a 1997 graduate of South Laurel High School in London, Kentucky.  Mr. Owens earned his Bachelor's of Music Education degree from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.  Mr. Owens also holds a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Xavier University. 
  
  In 2001 he was a member of the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from Lexington, Kentucky.  In the fall of 2002, Mr. Owens student taught at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, under the tutelage of Mr. Jeff Hood.  Previously, Mr. Owens was the Director of Bands at Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.  During his tenure there, the band received numerous awards.  They consistently rated "Distinguished" in every KMEA Concert Festival Assessment and "Superior" at the 2009 Dixie Classic National Adjudicators Invitational in St. Louis, as well as the marching band being named the Class A "State Runner-Up" in 2005, 2007, and 2008.  In 2006, the Beechwood marching band was named the KMEA Class A State Champion and BOA Class A National Champion.  In 2008, they were also named a National Semifinalist for the second time under the instruction of Mr. Owens, placing 3rd in the nation in Class A.  Mr. Owens was named "District 6 High School Teacher of the Year" for the 2005-2006 school year and again received the award in 2007-2008.  In 2006, he was awarded the University of Kentucky's College of Education "A Teacher Who Made a Difference" award and in 2007 was awarded the "Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence" by the National Band Association.  He was also named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Ernie Fletcher in 2005.
  Mr. Owens is married to Grant Co.'s Middle School Band Director, JoAnn, and is a proud father of their  1 year old son, Grant.  They are expecting their second child in December 2009.

  Grant County Bands welcome Mr. Owens and look forward to many great years with him.

• Grant County Band Booster, Inc. becomes Tax Exempt
  May 2009
  Grant County Band Boosters are now a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.  Donations made to the organization are now eligible for Tax Deductions.  If you would like to donate, please contact our Treasurer, Annette Crimmins.
• Grant County Middle School makes History
  March 11, 2008
  On March 11, the GCMS band traveled to Northern Kentucky University to perform at the annual District 6 Kentucky Music Educators Association Middle School Large Group Assessment where the band earned a Distinguished rating and was chosen as an Exemplary Band.