The Lufkin High School Panther Band competed in the National Association of Military Marching Bands (NAMMB) State Military Marching Contest on Saturday, November 2 at Stephen F. Austin State University. The Panther Band earned first division superior ratings from all five judges and also earned a first-place ranking in class 5A from all five judges, culminating in the rank of first place overall in class 5A. Other 5A bands in attendance were (in order of performance) Whitehouse, Montgomery, Huntsville, Vidor, Lindale, Jacksonville, and Cleveland.
“I am so proud of our students and their performance on Saturday at NAMMB!” said Panther Band director George Little. “The students really focused on doing their best more so than on winning. We had our best performance of the year, and we are very happy with the results.”
It is estimated that there are only about 70 high school marching bands in Texas that still perform military style marching. According to the NAMMB mission statement found on the official website, the purpose of the organization is to, “…. promote and preserve the military precision style of performance among marching bands in America, and to encourage the superior performance of traditional march music from the band literature.”
There are two more chances to see a full performance of the Panther Band’s award-winning drill. They will perform the drill again on Friday, November 8 at half time of the home football game against Waller, and then again on Saturday, November 9 at the annual Honor America Night event. For questions about Honor America Night, you can call the LHS band office at 936-630-4353.
PHOTO BY: ANDY ADAMS/Lufkin ISD