CCHS Band sweeps final band competition on Saturday

First place percussion, first place color guard, first place drum major, first place band

By Charlotte Underwood

ALCO, TN (WLAF)- The Campbell County High School Band swept its division with first place awards at the final competition of the season held Saturday at Alcoa. Students earned first place percussion, first place color guard, first place drum major and first place band!

CCHS competed at the 50th Annual Alcoa High School Marching Band Festival. Bands performed at the Alcoa High School football stadium.

This year, the program the band performed was entitled “A Pirate’s Adventure” !

According to Assistant Band Director Tiffany Braden, the students have had an amazing season.

“I am so glad all sections of our band received their well-deserved 1st place this year. Color Guard, Percussion, Drum Majors, and Band all received the highest score in our class! It was a wonderful ending to a successful season. It’s bittersweet. I’m excited to see the final product of all of the hard work, but I’m sad that it’s over! We are closing a chapter in the book of some of our seniors which is always the hardest part,” Braden said.

Braden also said she had many people she wanted to thank for this great band season including fellow music instructors and staff, as well as her husband, and the community who all supported the CCHS band. Students and band parents got a special shoutout as well.

“First of all, I want to thank my wonderful students. The success belongs to you all. I want you to know that the work you put in is seen and appreciated all throughout the community. Even when it got tough, you all found a way to persevere, Grand Champion shows not only your talent and hard work, but your character. It takes a lot to stay true to the end. It was a privilege to be on this “Pirate Adventure” with you.”

Braden thanked all the “incredible parents that do a million things behind the scenes that are never appreciated enough” as well as the “incredible instructors and staff.”

“Thank you for making sure the concessions run, the kids are fed, and for donating so much time to helping our program. It’s not possible without you. Thank you!”

Braden also thanked instructors Donald Hendricks, Adam Wright, and Ed Morton for everything they do for the music program, along with instructor staff Christy Day Hibbler, Helen Campbell and Ethan Clock, who “go above and beyond for the color guard, brass and percussion.”

Braden also said that while it was bittersweet for marching band season to be almost over, the CCHS band has lots of exciting events in the future.

“Marching season is almost over, but now we are looking forward to parades and concert band season. In the spring, we also get winter guard, and we are starting a brand-new indoor winds group which is a first for Campbell County! The season is over, but these kids are always working on something new, and we can’t wait for the community to see it!”

There’s one more time during football season to see the band perform. The CCHS Band will perform before and at halftime of Friday’s last game of the season as William Blount visits the Cougars. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/28/2025-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)