History of the Sounds of Superior

MINOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND “SOUNDS OF SUPERIOR” ADAMSVILLE, ALABAMA

The notoriety of the Minor High School Band program dates back to band director Spencer Shaw (1960-65). During this time, the band consistently earned superior ratings at various contests and festivals. One of the most successful eras of the Minor Band was under the baton of Dr. Johnny Jacobs (1968-85). During his tenure the Minor Band continued receiving superior ratings and he also established the Greater Birmingham Marching Festival, which ran successfully for 27 years. In 2005, Carlton Wright became the director, along with James Crumb as associate director. The band program experienced a tremendous amount of success including; Superior ratings at Marching, Symphonic, Jazz band festivals, performance at the 2008 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, performance at the National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music Conference in 2013 (Symphonic and Jazz band), and most recently, the Marching Band has performed on the Rock the Boat Carnival Performance Cruise to the Bahamas, all under the careful leadership of James Crumb, Jr.

Currently, the Minor Band is under the leadership of Director of Bands Johnny Mims and Assistant Band Director Tony DaVaughn. The Minor Band program includes; Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert and Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band I . Under their direction, the band program has continued its rich tradition of receiving superior ratings at various marching contest and music festivals. Since the implementation of Superior with Distinction (perfect score) in 2011, at the State of Alabama Music Performance Assessment, the Minor Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble has received a superior with distinction every year. The Jazz Band received “Band of Distinction” (highest score) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Festival from 2010 to 2016 and 2019. The most rewarding moments, of the Minor Band program, are the graduating senior band members receiving an average of three-to-four million dollars in scholarship offers since 2005. Our goal is to prepare all students for college, careers and the workforce through developing young adults who are able and willing to contribute to society by performing on musical instruments.

Minor High School Marching Band Performance Resume

• 2023 FAMU Concert Band Festival (Wind Ensemble) *2022 Horsecreek Marching Invitational All Superiors ratings “Best Colorguard” *October 2022 CBS4 Band of the Week *USBands Southeastern Championship All Superior ratings “Highest Music score'“ “Best Colorguard” *2019/2021 Florida Classic BOTB Invitation, 2021 Pell City Marching Competition All Superior ratings “Best Danceline” 2019, 2021, 2022 Magic City Classic Parade, Carnival Performance Cruise to Bahamas 2017  •Magic City Classic Televised Parade 2016 •Pell City Marching Festival 2016, Best in Class•April 2016 Disney World Magic Kingdom Parade • November 2015 National High-Stepping Championships, Memphis, TN Ø Dance Line 2nd, Color Guard 1st, Band -Marching 1st - General Effect 1st -Music 1st -Division 1st -Grand Champions 2015 • November 2015 Fox 6 News Band of the Week • October 2015 Birmingham City Schools Marching Festival, Birmingham, AL Ø Exhibition Band • October 2015 Southern Regional Marching Band Championship, Atlanta, GA Ø Dance Line 1st, Color Guard 1st, Percussion 1st, Band-Marching 1st General Effect 1st - Music 1st -Division 1st -Grand Champions 2015 • October 2015 Anniston High School Marching Festival, Anniston, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior and 1st, Percussion Superior and 1st, Band -Superior -1st - Grand Champion • October 2015 Fox 6 News Band of the Week • September 2015 ABC 33/40 Band of the Week • November 2014 National High-Stepping Championships, Atlanta, GA Ø Dance Line 2nd, Color Guard 1st, Band-General Effect 1st - Music 1st - Division 1st - Grand Champions 2014 • October 2014 Birmingham City Schools Marching Festival, Birmingham, AL Ø Exhibition Band • October 2014 Central Alabama Marching Festival, Selma, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior and 1st, Percussion Superior and 1st, Band –Superior- 1st -Mayors Cup Award -Grand Champion • October 2014 Pride of the Valley Marching Festival, Pinson, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior and Best in Class, Percussion Superior and Best in Class, Band -Superior -Best in Class- Best in Division • October 2014 Fox 6 News Band of the Week • April 2014 Performance at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. • November 2013 National High-Stepping Championships, Atlanta, GA Ø Color Guard 1st, Band-Marching 1st- General Effect 1st-Music 1st-Division 1st Grand Champions 2013 • November 2013 Birmingham City Schools Marching Festival, Birmingham, AL Ø Exhibition Band • October 2013 Central Alabama Marching Festival, Selma, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior and 1st, Band -Superior -1st-Mayors Cup Award -Grand Champion • April 2013 Music in The Parks Festival, Virginia Beach, VA Ø Band Superior and 1st Place • April 2011 Universal Studios Parade, Orlando, FL • October 2009 Performance, Susan B Komen Race for the Cure, Birmingham, AL • October 2009 Lake Martin Marching Festival, Pell City, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior • October 2008 Performance, Susan B Komen Race for the Cure, Birmingham, AL • October 2008 Magic City Classic Parade, Birmingham, AL • October 2008 Lake Martin Marching Festival, Pell City, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior • October 2007 Performance, Susan B Komen Race for the Cure, Birmingham, AL • October 2007 Magic City Classic Parade, Birmingham, AL • October 2007 Lake Martin Marching Festival, Pell City, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior • October 2007 Pride of the Valley Marching Festival, Pinson Valley, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band -Superior –Best in Class • October 2006 Magic City Classic Parade, Birmingham, AL • October 2006 Lake Martin Marching Festival, Pell City, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior • October 2006 Homewood High School Marching Festival, Homewood, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior • October 2005 Magic City Classic Parade, Birmingham, AL • October 2005 Lake Martin Marching Festival, Pell City, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band -Superior -Best in Class- Best in Division-Grand Champion • October 2005 Mountain Brook High School Marching Festival, Mountain Brook, AL Ø Drum Majors Superior, Dance Line Superior, Color Guard Superior, Percussion Superior, Band Superior v The band also proudly performs annually at several local parades in Adamsville and Birmingham Alabama.