CONTRIBUTED

The Union Pines High School Marching Vikings have had a spectacular year and have placed in every competition entered for class 4A, the largest division.

This year, the band competed at Scotland County, Pinecrest, Clinton, South View, Fuquay-Varina, and Lee County. They also played host to the 16th Annual Viking Classic Marching Band Competition at Union Pines High School in Cameron. Their awards this year included superior ratings, first place marching, first place general effect, first place music, first place drum majors, first place color guard, and first place percussion.

The Marching Vikings have also received first place in overall Class 4A competitions, to include two grand champion trophies for highest overall score of the day at Pinecrest and at Lee County, and the Peoples Choice Award voted on by the audience for favorite band of the day at South View, where up to 22 bands throughout the state have competed.

The Marching Vikings finished the season on a high note, as they have just recently taken the grand champion trophy at the 29th Annual Lee County Brick Capital Classic Marching Band Competition. They won the entire competition, not only in their division, class 4A, but overall on the day against 15 other bands across the state. They earned a superior rating with a score of 96.8, one of the highest scores in Union Pines history, (an 80 is a superior score) and took first place in every category: music, marching, general effect, visual ensemble, percussion, and drum majors.

"This has been one of the most successful years in recent memory," says Rob Hill, director. "The band has developed a sense of togetherness and teamwork that is always strived for, but hard to obtain."

In preparation for this year's marching show, the band held many summer music rehearsals along with an intense week in the summer at "band camp" learning the basics of marching and music. Most importantly, they learned to work as a team, and throughout the fall they have continued to work as a team, not only during class, but after school as well with many additional music and marching rehearsals.

After such hard work, the Marching Vikings presented "Conquest of Gold," a marching show that represented the adventurous era of the Conquistadors and the exploration for gold.

Their opener, "Conquest of Gold," was energetic, and the melody kept true to a Spanish theme from beginning to end. The second movement, "Reverence," was a mesmerizing, medium tempo ballad that built steadily before diminishing into a beautiful ending.

The third and final movement, "Machismo," was a rousing closer that featured every section of the band at various points and concluded with a fast-paced dramatic ending.

The Marching Vikings have taken the field under Hill's direction the last seven years. The Marching Vikings' assistant director is Jessica Traversino, the New Century Middle School band director, the color guard instructor is Julie Brown, and the percussion instructor is Wayne Osborne.

The 2008 student drum majors are Justin Blackburn, Will Fondrie, and Murphy Pilson, who are responsible for directing the band while performing on the field. The brass captain is Ronnie Scott, the woodwind captain is Chase Cameron, the sideline percussion captain is Kyle Mclean, the field percussion captain is Jake Waits, and the color guard captains are Deidra Carpenter and Mandy Wiggins.

"We are all extremely proud of the students for their hard work, dedication, and positive attitude, which have contributed to a successful marching season," says Hill.

"Thanks to all the local businesses and parents that contributed to making this year's marching season a success as well."?