Brown Brings Growth And Pride To The Blue Devil Band

Letter to the Editor

Five years ago, Mr. Wes Brown became the band director for the Water Valley High School Marching Band, taking over a program that was struggling and not just musically, but also with student confidence. At the time, many students felt they weren’t part of a strong band.

That attitude began to change in 2021. Through hard work, dedication, and leadership, Mr. Brown and his students proved that the Blue Devil Band could be successful again. Each year since, the band has grown in musicianship, determination, and confidence.

Today, if you ask the students whether they have a good band program, the answer would be a resounding yes. Like any successful program, this transformation didn’t happen overnight — it took years of training, encouragement, and perseverance.

The students who began with Mr. Brown as eighth graders are now seniors, leading the band with pride. Many of them have earned college scholarships and will continue performing at the collegiate level. Band is far more than an extracurricular activity; it builds character, teamwork, determination, and resilience, preparing students to succeed in whatever they pursue.

Marching
Evaluation Ratings
2021 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2022 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2023 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2024 – Rated 1 (Superior)
2025 – Rated 2 (Excellent)

Sight-Reading
Evaluation Ratings
2021 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2022 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2023 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2024 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2025 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
Concert Evaluation
Ratings
2021 – Rated 1 (Superior)
2022 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2023 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2024 – Rated 2 (Excellent)
2025 – To Be Determined
Our grandson, Lee Ingram, is a senior this year, and we have truly enjoyed watching him and his classmates grow under Mr. Brown’s leadership. We are extremely proud of Mr. Brown and every member of the Water Valley High School Band.

Mary Sue and
Roy Bennett Stevens