Grissom High School Band History
Mr. Theo Vernon, Band Director, and Mr. Brent Harris, Associate Band Director, bring to our band program the dedicated effort and outstanding leadership that have characterized our directors since Grissom High School opened in 1969. With a band enrollment that averages 200-250 students, the program includes the two marching bands, two symphonic bands, a concert band, two jazz ensembles, and several chamber ensembles.
The Instrumental Music Department at Grissom strives to maintain a balanced program in all facets of music education, including the development of the individual musician. Over the years, the Grissom Band program has consistently produced excellent musicians who are in demand by colleges and universities throughout the Southeast and many parts of the country. Grissom students receive placement in one of the Alabama All-State Bands each year.
Awards and recognitions have come often to the Band as a whole, too. Since its inception in 1969, the Symphonic Band 1 has never received less than a superior rating in any adjudication. They have been invited to perform at music educators' and conductors' conferences. The Symphonic Band 2 has rarely received less that a superior rating in any adjudication and the Concert Band has never received less than an excellent rating. The Marching Band has won numerous titles in contests and festivals throughout the Southeast and has never received less than a superior rating.
The tradition of excellence held by the Grissom High School Band program developed through the hard work and dedication of past members and directors Mr. Dave Ward, Mr. James Sparks, Mr. Ronald Rich, and Mr. Bill Connell is continued now through the hard work and dedication of our current directors and students.
Any alumni out there want to help create 1969-1984 awards and recognitions please email Mr. Vernon and he will get that information added. Pictures and any information will be great. Thank you!
Mr. Theo Vernon, Band Director, and Mr. Brent Harris, Associate Band Director, bring to our band program the dedicated effort and outstanding leadership that have characterized our directors since Grissom High School opened in 1969. With a band enrollment that averages 200-250 students, the program includes the two marching bands, two symphonic bands, a concert band, two jazz ensembles, and several chamber ensembles.
The Instrumental Music Department at Grissom strives to maintain a balanced program in all facets of music education, including the development of the individual musician. Over the years, the Grissom Band program has consistently produced excellent musicians who are in demand by colleges and universities throughout the Southeast and many parts of the country. Grissom students receive placement in one of the Alabama All-State Bands each year.
Awards and recognitions have come often to the Band as a whole, too. Since its inception in 1969, the Symphonic Band 1 has never received less than a superior rating in any adjudication. They have been invited to perform at music educators' and conductors' conferences. The Symphonic Band 2 has rarely received less that a superior rating in any adjudication and the Concert Band has never received less than an excellent rating. The Marching Band has won numerous titles in contests and festivals throughout the Southeast and has never received less than a superior rating.
The tradition of excellence held by the Grissom High School Band program developed through the hard work and dedication of past members and directors Mr. Dave Ward, Mr. James Sparks, Mr. Ronald Rich, and Mr. Bill Connell is continued now through the hard work and dedication of our current directors and students.
Any alumni out there want to help create 1969-1984 awards and recognitions please email Mr. Vernon and he will get that information added. Pictures and any information will be great. Thank you!
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2020-2021 Awards
All-State Band District Honor Band 2019-2020 Recognition
Hendersonville Golden Invitational Class A: All superior ratings Best Colorguard Best Percussion Best Winds 1st Place Band Best of the Best Colorguard Best of the Best Percussion Best of the Best Winds 1st Place Band Large Division Grand Champion (highest score of the day) 
Albertville High School - Northeast Alabama Marching Invitational
All 1’s (Superior)! Percussion had the highest score out of all the 20 bands in all divisions! Our band (Wind players) had the 2nd highest score out of all the 20 bands! Drum Major - I Percussion - I Colorguard - I Band - I, I, I Overall - I Best in Class AAA Colorguard Percussion Band 
Hoover Invitational Marching Festival
Class AAA: All superior ratings Best Colorguard Best Band (Highest score of the day out of 18 bands scoring higher than the Class AAAA bands with a 97.2!) Symphonic Band 1 invited to perform for the Alabama Music Educations Association's annual conference.
All-State Jazz Band Members Isaac Cargile - Gold Band George Luft - Gold Band Lake Black - Silver Band Alabama All-State and District 1 Honor Band Members 2020 All-State Honor Band members Ethan Watts - Flute (White Band) Erin Hatcher - Clarinet (Red Band) Carson Mades - Clarinet (Red Band) Luke Aguyao - Alto Sax (Red Band) Will Simmons - Tenor Sax (Alternate) Daniel Sharp - Bari Sax (Unassigned) Lake Black -Trumpet (White Band) Ryan Ortakales - French Horn (Blue Band) Isaac Cargile - Trombone (Red Band) Casey Sherman - Trombone (Blue Band) Henry Patterson - Baritone (White Band) George Luft - Tuba (Alternate) 2020 District Honor Band Members Ethan Watts - Flute - 3rd chair Erin Hatcher - Clarinet - 3rd chair Carson Mades - Clarinet - 4th chair Will Simmons - Tenor Sax - 3rd chair Daniel Sharp - Bari Sax - 1st chair Lake Black - Trumpet - 3rd chair Ryan Ortakales - French Horn - 5th chair Isaac Cargile - Trombone - 2nd chair Casey Sherman - Trombone - 5th chair Erin Howard - Trombone- 8th chair Henry Patterson - Baritone - 1st chair George Luft - Tuba - 4th chair 2019 Concert/Jazz Season
All-State Jazz Bands Congratulations to Isaac Cargile - Trombone in the top Gold Jazz Band! Daniel Sharp and Maxwell Windsor - Alternates University of Alabama Honor Band Congratulations to the following students: Priscila De Rubeis-Erin Hatcher-Carson Mades-Elise Mades Alyssa Hatcher-Victoria Burnham-Mason Mays-Daniel Sharp-Josh Koch-Ryan Ortakales-Casey Sherman District One Honor Band Congratulations to the following students: Flute E. Watts Oboe J. Parikh Bb Soprano Clarinets E. Hatcher -D. Hoffmeyer -C. Mades Bassoon E. Mades Alto Saxophone A. Hatcher Baritone Saxophone D. Sharp Trumpets L. Black -K. Britton French Horns R. Ortakales-M. Severson Trombones I. Cargile -B. Albritton -C. Sherman Euphonium H. Patterson Tubas G. Luft Alabama All-State Band Congratulations to the following students: Flute Blue Band - E. Watts Oboe Unassigned - J. Parikh Bassoon Unassigned - E. Mades Clarinet Red Band E. Hatcher -D. Hoffmeyer White Band C. Mades Baritone Saxophone Alternate – D. Sharp Trumpet Blue Band - L. Black French Horn White Band - R. Ortakales Trombone Red Band - I. Cargile Blue Band - B. Albritton Alternate – C. Sherman Euphonium White Band - H. Patterson Tuba Alternate – G. Luft |
2014-2015
Marching Band Contests Columbia, TN Invitational September 27th All superior ratings Drum Majors superior Percussion superior Color Guard superior Jacksonville State Contest October 18th All superior ratings and 2nd place overall Drum Majors superior and 3rd place overall Percussion superior and 3rd place overall Color Guard superior and 4th place overall Diamond class outstanding soloist Matthew Shustack Marching Band invited to perform in the nationally televised 2014 Hollywood Christmas Parade in Hollywood, California. UAH Honor Band Tabby Massengill Saxophone Miles Gregorian Bass Clarinet Joelle Kim Flute Sabrina Cline Piccolo Brooke Balla Flute Miller Cochran Trombone Mike McMahon Tuba Hunter Wade Euphonium District Honor Band Brooke Balla Flute Alice Kim Flute Miles Grigorian Bass Clarinet Alex Chenault Bassoon Matthew Shustack Trombone Tyler Belk Tuba All-State Jazz Andrew Phillips First in the state tenor saxophone in the Gold Band Brandon Peterson guitar in the Bronze Band All-State Band Tyler Belk Tuba - White Band Alex Chenault - Bassoon unassigned All-State Orchestra Sabrina Cline Piccolo Giselle Fulton Oboe Music Performance Assessment Concert Band overall Excellent Symphonic Band 1 & 2 all Superior ratings with Distinction Swing Central Jazz Competition The “A” Jazz Band selected as one of twelve bands from across the U.S. to compete in Savannah. GA. Alabama Hall of Fame Jazz Festival “B” Jazz Band received all superior ratings. Chattanooga National Adjudicators Invitational Symphonic Band 1 and 2 received superior ratings Concert Band received an overall excellent rating Outstanding Section Award - Symphonic Band 1 Low Reeds Outstanding Percussion Award - Symphonic Band 2 Flute Soloist Award - Peter Anthony, Symphonic Band 2 Trumpet Soloist Award - Scott Hurley, Symphonic Band 2 2014 Congratulations to Chris Healy for making the bass trombone spot in the All-State Gold Jazz Band!! Congratulations to the following students for making District 1 Honor Band and/or All-State Band: Honor Band Sabrina Cline - piccolo/Alice Kim - 8th chair flute/Kristen Page - 7th chair clarinet/Gracie Anderson - 2nd chair tenor sax/Michael Jones - 2nd chair bari sax/Katie Trausch - 9th chair trumpet/Travis Redfield - 2nd chair trombone/Hunter Wade - 3rd chair euphonium All-State Sabrina Cline - piccolo/Kristen Page - White Band clarinet Gracie Anderson - tenor sax/Michael Jones - bari sax - Alternate Chris Healy - Red Band trombone/Travis Redfield - Blue Band trombone/Hunter Wade - Blue Band Euphonium 
2013 The tradition continues! The marching band received many accolades at their competitions. Jacksonville State University Contest of Champions October 5 RESULTS: 1st in Division Drum Major / Guard / Percussion and Band. 2nd overall Band out of 20 bands! Recap Scores: Percussion - 97 - highest score of the day out of 20 bands!! Color Guard - 85.5 - 10th overall Drum Majors - 92 - 10th overall Band - Music - 38.83 - 2nd overall to 38.90 Visual - 28.50 - 2nd overall to 28.67 GE -28.87 - 2nd overall to 29.00 -------------------------------------------------------- Hoover Invitational Contest October 19 RESULTS: Drum Major - Superior (2nd highest score of the day with a 98!) Color Guard - Superior Percussion - Superior Band - Straight Superiors Outstanding soloist from class AAA & AAAA combined: Grissom mellophone soloist Madeline Jory! Best in class AAAA Band out of 8 bands that received all superiors. Tough competition! Highest scoring band of the day out of 22 bands!! 95.5!! 2013
Congratulations to the following students for being selected as a member of the 2013 UAH Honor Band! Sabrina Cline - Flute/Kristen Page - Clarinet/Elijah Stevens - Bass Clarinet/Andrew Toomey - Alto Saxophone/Chanda Shaw - Trumpet Chris Healy - Trombone/Hunter Wade - Euphonium/Michael Jones - Baritone Saxophone Congratulations to senior trombonist Nathan Franklin for being selected to participate in the Macy*s All American Marching Band marching in the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City! 
2012-2013
“A” Jazz Band selected as one of 12 bands to compete in the Swing Central Jazz Band Competition in Savannah, Georgia. 
Symphonic Band 1 awarded the Grand Champion at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Invitational competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Symphonic Band 2 - All superior ratings. Concert Band - Overall excellent rating. |
2018 Marching Season
Columbia Central High School Invitational - September 29 Results: Band placed 2nd in the largest class and won the best spirit award out of 7 bands. Percussion placed 2nd in class Color Guard placed 5th in class Jacksonville State Contest of Champions - October 20 Results: All superior ratings in every category! 
2017 Marching Season
Station Camp HS Marching Invitational Results: All superior ratings in all categories. Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion and Band. Hoover HS Marching Invitational Results: All superior ratings in all categories. Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion and Band. Received the highest overall score for musical performance! 2018 All-State Jazz Band Alex Edwards- Trombone in the top Gold Jazz Band UAH Honor Band Isabel Ward, Elise Mades, Kira Geib, Kaci Thompson, Dagen Hoffmeyer, Carter Ward, Alex Edwards, Dominic Kuzy, Trent Anton, Jacob Schultz, Jack Henry Parikh District Honor Band Erin Hatcher, Carson Mades, Dagen Hoffmeyer, Elise Mades, Carter Ward, Kyra Britton, Issac Cargile, Alex Edwards, Bryce Albritton, Dominic Kuzy University of Alabama Honor Band Kathryn Brown, Erin Hatcher, Aylssa Hatcher, Victoria Burnham, Mason Mays, Daniel Sharp, Ryan Ortakales, Dominic Kuzy, Trent Anton, Kaelin Marshall 2018 Music Performance Assessment (MPA) Concert Band overall Excellent rating Symphonic Band 1 & 2 straight superior ratings 2018 All-State Band Erin Hatcher - 3rd chair Blue Band, Issac Cargile - 4th chair White Band, Alex Edwards - 2nd chair White Band, Dominic Kuzy 1st chair Red Band (first in the state!) 2018 Dixie Classic Adjudicator's Invitational - Atlanta Symphony Hall Concert Band - Excellent rating Symphonic Band 2 - Superior rating Symphonic Band 1 - Superior rating Clarinet Section award - Symphonic Band 1 Low Brass award - Symphonic Band 1 2017 Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Invitational competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee Results:
Concert Band- Excellent Rating Symphonic Band 2- Superoir Rating Symphonic Band 1- Superoir Rating Outstanding Woodwind Award - Symphonic Band 1 Outstanding soloist award - Alice Kim - flute Overall Highest Score of the day - Symphonic Band 1! Music Performance Assessment 2017
Concert Band - ALL Superior Ratings! Symphonic Band 2 - ALL Superior Ratings! Symphony Band 1 - ALL Superior Ratings! All-State Jazz Band 2017
Brandon Peterson - Gold Band - Guitar Wyatt Detrick - Silver Band - Trombone Congratulations to the following students for making the 2017 District 1 Honor Band:
Flute - Alice Kim, Joelle Kim Clarinet - Noah Cargile Contra-Bass Clarinet - Isabel Ward Bassoon - Elise Mades Tenor Saxophone - Daniel Mowery Trumpet - Kyra Britton French Horn - Ben Jensen, Sam Becker Trombone - Alex Edwards, Matthew Shustack, Issac Cargile, Bryce Albritton Euphonium - Wyatt Detrick Noah Kim - Percussion Congratulations to the following students for making one of the 2017 All-State Bands: Alice Kim - Flute - White Band Isabel Ward - Contra-Bass Clarinet - alternate Elise Mades - Bassoon Daniel Mowery - Tenor Saxophone - alternate Ben Jensen - French Horn - Blue Band Sam Becker - French Horn - Blue Band Alex Edwards - Trombone - White Band Matthew Shustack - Trombone - White Band Issac Cargile - Trombone - Blue Band Wyatt Detrick - Euphonium - Red Band Hawaii 2016
70 members of the marchign band traveled to Hawaii to participate in the 75th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They marched in a parade honoring Pearl Harbor survivors and performed at the Arizona Memorial and the U.S.S. Missouri. While at the Arizona Memorial we placed a wreath and saluted those who sacrificed for our freedoms. It was a very touching moment that we will all never forget. 
2016 Jacksonville State University Competition results:
Superior ratings in all categories! Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, and Band. Placed 3rd in Diamond class and 3rd highest score overall out of 34 bands!! Grissom also had the 2nd highest "raw" score by 1.65pts. In Olympic judging they drop the highest and lowest scores of the 5 adjudicators. Thus the reason for the 3rd place overall. Congratulations to the following students selected for the 2016 UAH Invitational Honor Band.
Joelle Kim-Alice Kim-Giselle Fulton-Dagen Hoffmeyer-Isabel Ward-Elise Mades-Greg Lucero-James Torres-Matthew Estacio-Kaci Thompson-Austin Meeks-Ben Jensen-Alex Edwards-Matthew Shustack-Delvin Showers-Wyatt Detrick. Here is the schedule and more information. http://www.uah.edu/…/mu…/ensembles/bands/4264-uah-honor-band 2016 Kudzu Klassic In Russellville Contest results. Congratulations!!!!
Straight superior ratings for Drum Majors-Color Guard-Percussion-Band Best in class AAAA Drum Major Best in class AAAA Color Guard Best in class AAAA Percussion Best in class AAAA Band Tim Bowling Most Entertaining Award!! Best overall Band-grand champion! 2016 UAB Concert Band Invitational
Congratulations to the Symphonic Bands 1 and 2 for being invited to perform at the inaugural UAB Concert Band Invitational Festival. The bands performed extremely well and received very positive comments from the renowned music educators. 2016 MPA Results Congratulations for all Superior Ratings at the District 1 Music Performance Assessment at James Clemens High School! Concert Band (1-1-2-1 = 1) Symphonic Band 2 (1-1-1-1 = 1) Symphonic Band 1 (1-1-1-1 = 1) 2016 All-State Members Brooke Balla - 1st Red Band - Flute Tabby Massengill - White Band - Alto Saxophone Daniel Mowery - 1st Tenor Saxophone Matthew Shustack - 1st Blue Band - Trombone Ashley Olmstead - Alternate - Trombone Wyatt Detrick - Red Band - Euphonium Congratulations to Wyatt Detrick for being a finalist in the Super Solo Competition at 2016 All-State Band Festival. He placed 7th out of over 90 students. 2016 District 1 Honor Band Brooke Balla - 1st chair Flute Alice Kim - 11th chair Flute Tabby Massengill - 1st chair Alto Saxophone Daniel Mowery - 1st chair Tenor Saxophone Kyra Britton - 14th chair Trumpet Matthew Shustack - 5th chair trombone Ashley Olmstead - 7th chair Trombone Bryce Albritton - 8th chair Trombone Wyatt Detrick - 1st chair Euphonium Mike McMahon - 5th chair Tuba Jaden Bush - 6th chair Tuba 
Grissom's Symphonic Band 2 performs at the 2016 Alabama Music Educators Conference in Montgomery, Alabama.
Rosa Richardson, flute soloist, with Symphonic Band 2 at AMEA.
Congratulations to the 2016 All-State Jazz Band Members!
Brandon Peterson - Guitar in the top Gold Band Wyatt Detrick - Bass Trombone in the top Gold Band Andrew Getman - Alternate Guitar in the Bronze Band 
2015-2016
Marching Contests Spain Park High School Invitational September 26th All superior ratings in all categories: Band, Drum Majors, Color Guard and Percussion. Best in Class 4A Band, Drum Majors, and Color Guard and Overall Grand Champion! Percussion had the 2nd highest score of the day! ______________________________ Congratulations to the UAH Honor Band Students selected from over 80 schools: Brooke Balla - Joelle Kim - Tabitha Massengill - Rebecca Wiggs - Matthew Shustack - Alex Edwards - Wyatt Detrick - Mike McMahon Hoover High School Invitational October 17th
All superior ratings in all categories: Band, Drum Majors, Color Guard and Percussion. Best in Class 4A Band, Drum Majors and Color Guard! Mellophone soloist award and Piccolo section award! 
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2011-2012
Symphonic Band 1 awarded the Grand Champion at the Dixie Classic Festival in Washington, DC. 
2007-2008
Band selected to March in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Symphonic Band 1 awarded the Grand Champion at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Invitational competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 2006-2007
Symphonic Band 1 awarded the Grand Champion at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Invitational competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
2004-2005
Band selected to March in the Hawaii Waikiki Thanksgiving Day Parade and Performances at the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Symphonic Band 1 awarded the Grand Champion at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Invitational competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
2001-2002
“A” Jazz Band selected to perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. 
Summer 2000
“A” Jazz Band selected to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. 
1999-2000
Marched in the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade as the lead band! 
1998-1999
“A” Jazz Band selected as one of 20 bands to compete in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Festival in New York City. 1996-1997 Jazz bands selected to perform in Austria for their Millennium Celebrations. 
1985-1986
1st place in the University of Alabama Marching Festival. Symphonic Band 1 selected to perform at the International MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. |