Senate Concurrent Resolution 578

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL "MARCHING TIGERS" BAND AND DIRECTOR LEN KILLOUGH FOR WINNING THREE CLASS 6A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, Hernando High School is the 2018 MHSAA/Mississippi Bandmasters Association 6A Marching Band State Champion. This is the third time this band has earned this title, also winning in 2014 and 2015. To move this band to State Competition in Pearl on November 3, 2018, took four charter buses, an 18-wheeler (driver and truck property of TNT Trucking), and three trailers for a total of eight vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Len Killough, the Band Director for seven years at Hernando High School, also team teaches band at Hernando Middle School. He has taught his 27 Seniors since 7th Grade. "One of the greatest statistics about the DeSoto County Schools' band programs is that 100% of our band students are offered band scholarships at the state universities," he said. "This says a lot about the band programs at DeSoto County Schools." Currently, he is President of the Mississippi Bandmasters, the state organization for all Mississippi bands. Hernando won the Bandmasters Grand Championship in Memphis, a title that Munford High School in Munford, Tennessee, had held for more than 20 years. Assistant Band Directors are Victoria Jones, Joe Quinnelly and Tyler Harris; and

WHEREAS, the name of the award-winning show was "Fleeting Bloom: The Life of a Cherry Blossom." The music was written by Julie Giroux of Madison and featured her symphony, "Postcards from Japan." Producing an award-winning production started in December 2017 and demanded a year-long effort. Band camp lasted two weeks in July and often required 14-hour days at work, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. 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, 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 Hernando High School "Marching Tigers" Band and Director Len Killough for winning the Class 6A State Marching Band Championship, 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 Len Killough of the Marching Tigers Band and Hernando High School Principal Duane Case, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.