West Tennessee marching bands brought home a long list of awards Saturday from some of the biggest band competitions of the fall season.
Area bands competed in the Tennessee State Band competitions, held at Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna and Independence High School in Thompson's Station, and in the 2026 Band Masters Championship at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, WBBJ reported.
In the Division I state competition, the Gibson County High School Marching Pioneers were the big winners, taking State Grand Champion honors in band, drum major and color guard, plus second overall in percussion along with high music and high visual. Adamsville placed second overall, Peabody's Band of Gold placed fourth, Jackson Christian's Eagle Marching Band placed fifth, Huntingdon placed sixth with second-best drum major, and McKenzie placed seventh.
In Division II, South Gibson County placed third overall and was named State Grand Champion in both percussion and color guard. Union City placed fourth overall with superior ratings in every caption and the top drum major. McNairy Central placed fifth, Westview placed seventh and Camden placed 11th.
At the Band Masters Championship, Crockett County won the 2026 Class A championship. North Side placed third in Class A, and Chester County placed third overall with the overall visual award. Henry County placed seventh overall and earned most outstanding color guard. Hardin County placed third overall in Class AAA, and Lexington placed second overall. Obion County Central earned superior ratings and outstanding marks in visual and color guard.
Elsewhere, the Milan Marching Bulldogs won overall class champion at the US Bands Class II South Eastern Championship, sweeping first in band, color guard, visual, music and effect. Hollow Rock-Bruceton placed seventh overall and third in color guard at the Tennessee Small Band Association State Championship.
Congratulations to every student, director and band parent who put in the hours to make this season a success.
Sources: WBBJ