Senate Concurrent Resolution 528

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL "MARCHING PATRIOTS" BAND AND DIRECTOR KIM HALLMARK FOR WINNING THREE CONSECUTIVE CLASS 5A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, for the third straight year, the Lewisburg High School Marching Patriots won the Class 5A State Marching Band Championship on October 22, 2016, in Pearl. Months of long hours and hard work have again paid off for members of the Lewisburg High School Marching Band, and for the third straight year, the 183-member organization can call themselves "State Champions," as they are growing a band dynasty; and

WHEREAS, the Marching Patriots competed against 14 Class 5A bands in the preliminary round. Six of those bands were chosen for finals. In the final round, Lewisburg High School placed First and brought home the State Championship. The Lewisburg High School Band has a rich history of championships, winning five State Championships (2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and four State Runners-Up. In addition to the last three consecutive State Championships, Lewisburg has won three other state titles and has finished no less than second in the ten-year existence of the program; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Lewisburg Band Program is an indication of the direction of Kim Hallmark. Hallmark, a native of Hernando and 2004 graduate of Hernando High School, inherited a successful program four years ago and where she was Assistant Band Director and head of the middle school program pretty much ever since she graduated from the University of Mississippi, not including a brief time with elementary school music at Chickasaw Elementary School before being transferred to Lewisburg; and

WHEREAS, there are 183 students in the Band/Color Guard who have worked exceptionally hard since July when Band Camp began. They have also competed in multiple local competitions, winning several awards. The students and staff have gone above and beyond to do their best and achieve their goals through hard work and discipline. The band also has an exceptional "field crew" made up of many dads who volunteer much of their time. The Lewisburg High School Marching Patriots' staff includes: Kim Hallmark, Director; and Ben McLemore and Nelson Coile, who were instrumental in the success of the Lewisburg High School Band Program; and

WHEREAS, "'Mother Nature' was the theme of this year's program," Hallmark said. "We had different arrangements of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as well as several other themes intertwined and our 'Mother Nature' walking the field the entire time was part of that. We try to find material that works and fits what our kids can do as well as being something that's going to push them and challenge them." Other important parts of the program involve the presentation and movement, all prepared long before the band takes the field. Marching band over the years has become much more than straight lines and sharp military-style music. "Marching band is a production these days," Hallmark said. "It's something we work for months to put things together; the intricate drill design, show theme and visual and musical aspects. All of that comes together for this big production." Those components are what judges look for when reviewing a marching band's presentation. Several judges score the performance, including two actually on the field while the band performs. Others are in the press box and judging such things as music and visual general effects and performance, the percussion section and the color guard; and

WHEREAS, Hallmark said that not only does success come from the talents and dedication of the students, but also from a strong support group among band parents and the community. What began as a goal to win State Championships has turned into much more; and it is with great pride that we recognize this dedicated group of student musicians who have brought honor to their school, 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 Lewisburg High School "Marching Patriots" Band and Director Kim Hallmark for winning a band "dynasty" three consecutive Class 5A State Marching Band Championships, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the band, directors, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Director Kim Hallmark of the Marching Patriot Band and Lewisburg High School Principal Chris Fleming, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.