The Water Valley High School Band Is Fortunate To Have Mr. Brown As Director
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The Water Valley High School band had a great year, earning excellent ratings in the marching evaluation and concert evaluation. Band Director Wes Brown (right) is completing his third year as the director of the program.
DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
The band hall was packed, the food delicious and fellowship even better as the Water Valley High School band celebrated a successful year with the annual band banquet.
The purpose of last Thursday night’s band banquet was to recognize outstanding band students and a successful year for the entire program.
Coach Dexter Ross was also invited to speak and he did a great job making each student feel special for their hard work. Coach Ross also flipped the script as he focused on band director Wes Brown’s dedication to the band program, school and students.
“It was a struggle,” Ross told attendees about the uphill battle Brown faced to rebuild the band program. “Y’all really don’t understand what you have with Mr. Brown,” he continued. “Anybody else would have packed up and left. Just a few years ago, there were few people at the band banquet. Tonight speaks to Mr. Brown staying the course,” Ross told the large crowd.
Brown is completing his third year as band director, he came to Water Valley High School in 2021 for his first job after earning a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Music Education at the University of Mississippi.
Brown noted that his first year was tough.
“As any teacher knows, your first year is survival,” he told the crowd.
The band banquet included an overview of a successful year that started with strong performances during the football halftime shows. The evaluation for the band’s marching skills came during the 2023 MHSAA Region II State Marching at Grenada High School last October. Drum major Jackson Herrera and the color guard earned superior ratings, the highest level of achievement. The band and percussion earned excellent ratings, the second highest rating. Brown noted that the superior rating the color guard received was the first in many years.
During the holiday season, band members did an amazing job marching in the Christmas parade and had a great Christmas concert featuring music from the Polar Express.
Brown reported his students change gears for the spring semester as they prepare concert season. The band was rated at the 2024 State Concert Evaluation in Oxford in March and again received an overall excellent rating. Brown was most proud of his students for their excellent rating in sight reading, the highest score the band had earned in this category in years. This accomplishment is a strong indicator that shows the fundamental growth of the band and the students’ ability to ready music.
Brown is also quick to note that the goal of the band is not all about evaluations and grading. He wants his students to enjoy performances, and to enjoy supporting football games and community events as music makes a better experience for attendees. The Casey Jones Blues Fest and the band’s spring concert are great examples. Brown shared that his students received compliments from other performers at the blues fest including the Harrell Brothers. The final performance was the spring concert, another big hit.
Another highlight at the banquet was the presentation of the Stanley Crow award to senior Arthur Fielder. Brown explained that Fielder is the only senior in the band, the only student in his class who choose to stick with band though good times and tough times.
The award recognizes students who portray the qualities the late Stanley Crow exhibited with selfless service topping the list. As I left the banquet,
I was appreciative of Brown’s selfless service and commitment. The Water Valley High School band is fortunate to have his leadership and enthusiasm!
