The Baldwin High School band finished off its season with two competitions at the end of October, winning two grand champion titles and placing in the top three at their last competition.
Last month, The Baldwin Band of the Braves won their first grand champion title at the Hurricane Classic at Monroe Area High School. The Braves competed at Heart of Georgia in Warner Robins Oct. 19 and won their second grand champion title in the silver division. Heart of Georgia divides competitors into two divisions, unlike the Hurricane Classic, and has two grand champions. Then, the Braves placed third overall Oct. 26 at March the Plank in Pike County.
“This was one of our best and most successful seasons competitively,” said James McMillan, director of bands and Fine Arts Department chair. “To my knowledge, this is the first time Baldwin High School has won a grand champion title not just once but twice. It’s been a grueling season, but we are now transitioning for the concert season.”
Looking back, McMillan said the competitive success this season comes from a “multiyear process.” Each year, McMillan has set new goals for the band to achieve and continues to increase that level of achievement, which led to this year’s band’s grand performance.
“We got to a point where we were getting consistent superior ratings, which is the highest rating you can get. Then we aspired to reach the top in our class, and we began to consistently do that, which led to aspiring to place high overall,” said McMillan. “This year we achieved that, and we aim to keep that consistency as we continue to better ourselves.”
McMillan said the importance is all in the “process” and telling students each year that what they achieve is another contribution to build upon from each year’s band.
“The freshmen don’t know what it was like four or five years ago and what it took to reach this point but they learn that this is the new normal. Expectations have continued to grow, and they are high, but we have a good group,” said McMillan. “We’ve had alumni reach out and congratulate us and share their perspective on the band continuing to improve. Their contributions are what led to this growth and this year’s band will contribute to growth next year.”
McMillan, Color Guard Coach Charisma Webb, Wind Technicians Robyn Meeks and Trent Henderson, and Visual Design Team Ron and Sharon Ryles are already listening to new shows and planning next year’s performance.
“We finished our last competition and the next Monday; we began planning ahead for the next season. While we are transitioning to concert season, marching season stays in the back of our minds because to have a successful show you must plan way in advance,” said McMillan. “We plan each season to have the best show. It’s about giving the best version of the show, not necessarily achieving a specific score.”
The Baldwin Band of the Braves is now focusing on its performance for the winter concert Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Baldwin High School Performing Arts Center. According to McMillan, it’s always about going from one performance to the next as they are a “performance-based ensemble.”
“We hit our peak during marching season and then the next Monday, the band started over, working with music we’ve never seen before. It was back to the bottom of the totem pole,” said McMillan.
Looking forward to concert season, unlike marching season, the band will have about four to five weeks to prepare. According to McMillan, concert season is not easier than marching season but “different” in its focus. Music is picked based on what will challenge the band and concert season focuses solely on learning the music rather than a multitude of actions.
“Ultimately we are preparing for the winter concert which is preparation for the large group performance evaluation in the spring,” said McMillan. “It is the equivalent of a marching competition for concert bands. It’s a one and done state-wide competition in March. We will get judged and receive feedback from state certified judicators.”