My heartiest congratulations to Ms. Linda Davis and the South Panola High School Band!! I was in the position to judge the band’s performance this past Saturday at the Tenn-Tom Marching Classic at Aberdeen and was elated as the S.P. Band took the field and put on a superb performance!

I, along with my fellow judges, was blown away by how fine the performance was. The band demonstrated superior playing and excited the crowd with a well-designed and executed show, and was within one point of winning the entire  competition. I am very proud of the students and the band staff.

Having served as South Panola’s Director of Bands for 15 years, I fully understand the enormous amount of time and energy required to build a fine band program.

Years ago, when the band reached some 150 in number, the band staff made the decision to raise the standards for acceptance in the marching band. It was the best decision we ever made. Although our numbers dropped from 150 or so to around 110, we found a group very willing to work and who were determined to excel. And they did. We found that a 110-piece band of willing, able and dedicated young people was far better than a huge band with many who didn’t have the winning desire or attitude.

Of course, some who didn’t know the situation and merely attended football games became “arm chair quarterbacks” complaining that we didn’t match the size of Grenada or Tupelo. When the band quickly attained national recognition and scored at the top of every adjudicated performance, the complaining seemed to stop, and our school and community  supported the band wholeheartedly.

I see in this year’s band that same attitude to excel. I no longer see behavioral problems and find a room full of students willing to work and excited about performing.

All of us who spend a lifetime working in the school band arena realize that quality is far better than quantity, as was clearly demonstrated this past weekend. I sincerely hope that our community sees what is happening in the South Panola Band and gives their support to the students and directors.

I am very proud of them and deeply appreciate their work.

/s/ Ken Lewis
former Director, South
Panola High School Band