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Marching Hundred gearing up for busy fall schedule

Friday-night lights are just around the corner, and the Russellville High School Marching Hundred is prepared to dominate the field during halftime.

This year’s halftime show, “Big Easy” Blues, will include soulful selections such as “God Bless the Child," “Rhapsody in Blue," “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “Lil’Liza Jane."

Band director Jeremy Willis had always wanted  to do a New Orleans jazz-style show. Now that he can make the music selections, he can turn his visions into a reality.

The show is not only a musical showcase but also a story brought to life on the field. The show follows a young girl throughout her life.

I came up with the storyline of a girl growing up in New Orleans that we would portray metaphorically,” Willis said.

God Bless the Child” is her birth; her life and death are portrayed in “Rhapsody in Blue." She will then have a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral with “Just a Closer Walk” and Lil’Liza Jane."

The show will also include several trumpet solos, a mellophone solo, a tenor sax solo and a tuba solo. Every section of the band has a feature at some point in the show. The purpose is to showcase every section's unique sound and ability to captivate the audience.

In addition to performing their halftime show for Friday-night audiences this fall, the band also plans to compete in several competitions. They will compete in Winfield on October 1, in Muscle Shoals on October 15 and in Athens on October 22.

The Kudzu Klassic, the annual competition hosted by the Marching Hundred, will be held on September 24. The directors are currently looking at an afternoon start time for the competition. The Marching Hundred will perform as the exhibition band that night.

The Marching Hundred’s 132 band members and three alternates are ready to take on the fall after a prosperous band camp this July.

Band camp was a huge success," Willis said. "We grew as a group from the very first rehearsal and accomplished many things musically that we had set out to do."

This year’s show will be one that is quite “Easy” to remember. 

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