Brookwood Band Prepares for Yellowjacket Classic, Shiloh Game

Under the leadership of , the Brookwood marching band has become one of the best in the state. (See the attached video for a short example of their amazing skill.)

With an army of around 700 parent volunteers and 244 band members, they'll be a force to be reckoned with when they head to the Yellowjacket Classic in Rockmart tomorrow, Oct. 13.

While there, they will compete against bands from all over northeast Georgia.

Last weekend, at the Super Bowl of Sound in Carrollton, Ga., the drum majors, percussion and color guard were all three classified as class II.

On top of that, a battle is brewing against Roswell High in The Bert Show's Battle of the Bands. If they win -- something that is decided based on how many votes they receive -- they'll move on to the next level.

Tonight, though, their skills will be on display at the Brookwood game against Shiloh High. They'll perform after the game.

Parent volunteer Rebecca Cook believes that the performances are much more challenging this year than in the past. Cook and other parents, like Mary Sherman and Bev Lee, come to every practice to support their kids.

"They've really stepped it up," Cook said.

A lot of hard work and dedication goes into being part of the marching band. Not only do the kids take band class during school hours, many of them also take private lessons during the week and spend two or more afternoons at practice at the school.

"Anybody that marches at a program like this could do college band," said Cook.

Many kids who graduate from the band program at Brookwood do go on to become part of college groups. Moates-Stanley estimates that around 32 went on to perform in the marching bands at University of Georgia, 20 at Georgia Tech and 12 at Georgia State.

Moates-Stanley was a drum major herself at UGA.

The kids have to audition to be accepted into band and are placed into one of four classes, depending on skill level: maroon and gold, concert, symphonic and symphonic winds. Last year, each ensemble scored "superior" at performance evaluations, the highest level possible.

Under Moates-Stanley's leadership, the Brookwood High School Symphonic Winds was chosen to perform as a guest band at the 2005 University of Georgia January Festival, the 2007 Honor Bands of Georgia Clinic at Columbus State University, the 2008 University of Alabama Honor Band Festival, the 2008 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, and the 2010 University of Georgia January Festival, according to her staff biography.

She has received multiple awards and recognition, including:

• 2004 Class Act Teacher award from Channel 11 Alive
• Brookwood High School’s STAR Teacher in 2007
• Region IIIA STAR Teacher
• Georgia State Finalist STAR Teacher in 2007.
• National Band Association Citation of Excellence - twice.

To vote for the Brookwood marching band in Battle of the Bands, do it here!

Do you recognize any of the students in our picture gallery? Tell us in the comments and we'll make sure to change the caption. Feel free to add your own photos and videos of the band's previous performances!