Senate Concurrent Resolution 564

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PEARL HIGH SCHOOL "PIRATE" MARCHING BAND AND BAND DIRECTOR JEFF CANNON FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION/MISSISSIPPI BAND ASSOCIATION 2012 CLASS 5A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

WHEREAS, for the second year in a row, the Pearl High School "Pirate" Marching Band is the State 5A Marching Champion. The Mississippi High School Activities Association/Mississippi Band Association title is Pearl's fourth. The others came in 2007, 2009 and 2011; and

WHEREAS, "In band competitions, anything over one point is a pretty big margin," Pearl Band Director Jeff Cannon said. "We beat Hernando by 1.25 points and almost had a clean sweep. We won in music, general effect, marching visual and color guard"; and

WHEREAS, the program for the 168-member band was titled "Unravel". Cannon said it is based on the music of French Composer Maurice Ravel. He said the band members spent hundreds of man-hours perfecting the 8.5-minute show that won them the title. He said the band is a young group, with only 36 seniors. The band has 62 freshmen and the rest are divided equally between sophomores and juniors; and

WHEREAS, Cannon said his assistants, Marching Director Matt Rowan, Color Guard Directors Aimee Sudduth and Amye Rowan,

Percussion Director Matt Little, Low Brass Director Jason Harrell, and student instructors all did outstanding jobs in working with the students to put together the championship program. The band is striving for national prominence. This year, the "Pirates" took part in the Bands of America competition in St. Louis and did well; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Mississippi Band Association began having this series of competitions 9 years ago. This State Title honors the Pearl Band program's long, rich history in musical excellence, the only band in the history of the Championship to have finished in the Top 5 every year; and

WHEREAS, with a motto of "Excellence Through Perseverance," these students have persevered to achieve the highest honor attainable within the two associations' honors and awards, and have remained consistent in dedicating each of their performances to the Lord; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments and attitude 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Pearl High School "Pirate" Marching Band and its Directors upon winning the "2012 Class 5A State Marching Band Championship," its second consecutive title and fourth State Championship in 6 years, and extend our best wishes for continued success in their future musical and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Band Director Jeff Cannon, Pearl High School Principal Dr. Lundy Brantley, forwarded to the Pearl School District Board of Trustees, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.