Senate Resolution 38

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL "ARROW" SYMPHONIC BAND FOR WINNING THE ALAMO SHOWCASE OF MUSIC REGIONAL COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

WHEREAS, the Clinton High School "Arrow" Symphonic Band, under the direction of James Sills, Jennifer Sills and Martin Buckhalter, brought the championship trophy home from the Alamo Showcase of Music Regional Competition held on April 3, 2004, featuring bands from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Clinton bands - three from Clinton High School (CHS) and a fourth from Sumner Hill Junior High School, each received superior ratings from the Alamo Showcase judges, and the Arrow bands became the musical equivalent of the "Final Four" of the Alamo Showcase, winning all the top awards given at the San Antonio Band Festival; and

WHEREAS, the CHS concert band, symphonic band and jazz band, as well as the Sumner Hill band, were also presented first-place trophies in their respective classes; and

WHEREAS, the Arrow Symphonic Band was chosen the best band overall, earning the championship trophy as the Most Outstanding Instrumental Group in the entire competition; and

WHEREAS, the Alamo Showcase judges also presented two individual awards for solo performances, and both of the winners were Arrow band students; Stephanie Lipe, a Senior who plays the flute, was named Outstanding Symphonic Band Soloist, while Junior trumpeter Chris Ferrell was recognized as the Outstanding Jazz Band Soloist; and

WHEREAS, the honors received in Texas by the Arrow concert and symphonic bands came on the heels of an outstanding performance by both groups at the Mississippi High School Activities Association State Band Festival in Pearl. The two bands each received superior ratings in both concert performance and sight reading components, a feat achieved by only 17% of all bands in all classes statewide. In fact, the symphonic band was one of only seven bands in the 29-member Class 5-A to receive the All-Superior designation; and

WHEREAS, Director of Bands James Sills, who leads the Arrow symphonic and jazz bands stated, "We are among the elite, and I couldn't be more pleased with our bands' success. I believe we have received about 27 years of consecutive superior ratings, and that makes our program one of the premier band programs in the state"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of this outstanding group of student-musicians who have brought honor to their school, their parents, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Clinton High School "Arrow" Symphonic Band and their directors for winning the Alamo Showcase of Music Regional Competition Championship in San Antonio, Texas, and extend to them the best wishes of the Senate for continued success in future competition.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Principal of Clinton High School and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.