Submitted photo | Mike Hyde

The members of the Surry Central Golden Eagle Marching Band celebrate earning grand champion honors at the Battle of the Bands at Providence Grove High School.

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CLIMAX — The Surry Central High School Golden Eagle Marching Band nabbed 1A, 2A Grand Championship honors in the Battle of the Bands at Providence Grove High School in Climax on Sept. 29.

The Eagles, a small, 1A band, entered their first competition of the season against schools ranging up to large 4A groups. Rain and thunderstorms moved all 12 marching bands inside the school gym, which played in favor of Central. The change of location turned the event into a music, color guard and general effect competition.

“This (the weather) worked to our advantage,” said Central Band Director Mike Hyde. “I told them they could play with anyone else and they proved it.” He said the color guard also had a good showing in the event. Hyde said Central was only one point behind in overall scoring to St. Stephens High School, a 120-member marching band. Central was the high scoring band in drum major, general effect and color guard.

The band earned first in color guard and drum major, music and general effect as well as second in percussion. Central received first place overall in class AA and next earned high scoring color guard honors in both 1A and 2A classes in addition to the high scoring drum major award in 1A, 2A.

According to Hyde, the grand championship award is a milestone for the band.

“We have a lot of young kids in this band,” said Hyde. “Usually at this time of the season the kids are learning to march and play and during the course of the season they improve.” He said that the group has eight middle school students that perform with the band. Hyde explained that this gives the seventh- and eighth-graders more experience. Hyde said he also teaches band at the middle schools.

“I feel very happy with this start and I think it’s going to be a very good year for us,” said Hyde. He said the group plans to participate in a mini-camp this weekend and will next compete in a US Bands national level competition at Wake Forest University.

“Regardless of what the outcome is I tell them the feeling you get when you march off the field after making the crowd react is why we do this,” said Hyde. “Trophies and awards are just icing on the cake.” He added that Central plans on participating in another competition at North Forsyth and then will travel to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in November for yet another competition.

Hyde explained that Stellar, the name of the marching band’s show, uses stars as its theme. Central’s band wears traditional uniforms but has accented them with light catching materials and incorporates stars on many props.

“We also use inspirational quotes such as reach for the stars to get across an underlying message. You can relate to that or just sit back and enjoy the show,” said Hyde. “We are performing more of a theatrical presentation.”

Hyde also credited the help of staffers Teddy Holcomb and Todd Russell from Wake Forest. Holcomb has served as program coordinator and Russell helps as color guard instructor.

Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1952.