Jordan Bands Top Competition

On October 18th, the Jordan Regiment (marching band) went to the 36th Annual Fuquay-Varina Festival of Bands to compete against eleven other North Carolina high school bands and won first place in colorguard, percussion, and visual, as well as second place in music and overall. The festival, hosted by Fuquay Varina High School, is one of the longest-running marching band competitions in North Carolina. Then, on Saturday, October 25th, the Regiment broke a long running curse, making it to the finals at Sanderson high school for the Capital City Band Expo for the first time in 13 years. We interviewed drum major Layla Vaughn, and she was very excited to share this incredible story with us. “I’ve lived through the past three years at Sanderson hoping and hoping we’d make finals and it was really rough last year because we got 9th ( top 8 make finals) by 0.01 of a point.” They placed 2nd in general effect, 1st place percussion, music performance, visual performance, and first place in their class, which led to them placing 4th overall in the finals. “ It was a crazy dream come true. I could hear two of the past drum majors, Katie and Kailynn, screaming and I was like wow these past couple years have culminated to this moment and I'm so so so happy that I got to be a part of it.” 

Mr. Garris dressed as Mr. Incredible at October 9th concert

Additionally, the Jordan High School Jazz Combo 1 has been selected to play at the NCMEA, the North Carolina Music Educators Conference. Every year, one high school jazz group is chosen to perform, and this year Jordan was selected! According to Calvin Welch, one of the longest active members of the group, this achievement is one of the highest awards a jazz combo can receive. Emmie Harwood, the double bass player of Jazz Combo 2, is going to be playing with Combo 1. When asked about this, Emmie said, “There were some moments where I was like I don’t know what I’m doing, but I got help from the older people, and it was really nice to know I could have people to rely on.” She started double bass only last semester, making this a huge achievement for her.

Jordan bands are continuing to grow and thrive as they prepare for the Winter Concert on Thursday, December 18th. Their fall concert was highlighted by band director Mr. Garris conducting the wind ensemble in a Mr. Incredible costume, jumping onstage during the Incredibles theme song. The Jazz Combo will have their NCMEA performance on Monday November 10th, at 12:00 PM. More chances to see the Jordan regiment are at home football games or at competitions announced on the afternoon announcements.

Jordan bands continue to grow and thrive as they prepare for the Winter Concert on Thursday, December 18th. Their fall concert was highlighted by band director Mr. Garris conducting the wind ensemble in a Mr. Incredible costume, jumping onstage during the Incredibles theme song. The Jazz Combo will have their NCMEA performance on Monday November 10th, at 12:00 PM. More chances to see the Jordan regiment are at home football games or at competitions announced on the afternoon announcements.