By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALEXANDER CITY – Thompson High School’s Marching Southern Sounds band again verified it’s one of the top bands in the state on Oct. 6, as it nearly swept all categories at the Lake Martin Invitational competition.

Thompson competed in the competition’s “open” category, which was open to bands with 96 or more members, against Spain Park High School.

This year’s Marching Southern Sounds field show “Iron Giant: A celebration of Birmingham” pays homage to the history of Alabama’s largest city, and the metropolitan area of which Alabaster is a part.

The show showcases Sloss Furnace and the Magic City sign while the band plays the Black Sabbath song “Iron Man.” The band then plays the song “Ecstasy of Gold” from the film “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” representing Birmingham’s famous color tunnel.

The band then plays the Metallica song “Master of Puppets” while showcasing Birmingham’s Vulcan statue before the show ends with functional smokestacks along the sideline in front of the “It’s nice to have you in Birmingham” slogan.

Thompson wowed the judges during the Alex City competition, as the band and visual ensemble earned the following accolades:

-Best in class drum major, guard, majorette, dance, percussion
-Best in class band
-Best low brass
-Best pit
-Best woodwinds
-Highest music score
-Highest marching score
-Most entertaining
-John McCrory – Best overall soloist

 

The band will compete in the Jacksonville State University competition on Oct. 20.