LBHS Bearcat Band captures sweepstakes award

By Marilou D. Horton

Long Beach High School Director of Bands Zac Cannon recently shared several outstanding moments he had witnessed while overseeing the overall band program at the three Long Beach School District schools. There have been many highlights, Cannon said, but scoring the Sweepstakes Award this year ranks at the top.

“This was something that has not been achieved since 2017, and these students had worked so hard to earn this,” said Cannon. “The students had tears of joy and were beyond excited. Seeing the students this happy was remarkable.”

The Long Beach High School Band received All-Superior ratings at the marching, concert and sight reading competition. Also on the list of accolades was ranking seventh at the 2022 State Marching Championship.

Most recently, the band went on their first trip in over a decade. The destination was Disney World, and the group performed at the Magic Kingdom as the Premier Marching Band. Students leading the band were drum majors Payton Parsons, Noelle David and Aidan Drake. Cannon added that all his band members are incredibly hard-working students who stand out “in their own special ways.”

The musicians impress the director with solid work ethics and the desire to improve daily.

“These students also love and enjoy music and making music,” Cannon said. He noted there are currently several students in the band program at the high school who plan to major in music when they head off to college. “I know for sure we have one that is going to Mississippi State next year and will major in music education. She [Noelle David] was one of our drum majors this past year and is our first chair french horn player.”

Band is vital for all secondary school programs, Cannon stressed. He said it teaches many disciplines that can be carried throughout life, such as teamwork, persevering through difficult situations and not allowing failure to deter one from progress.

“Band – and music in general – applies to all academics. It helps students to study and practice mathematics, science and history, as well as helping with language. “

Taking his band to the Florida theme park was a special event for the high school director. His father, Jeff, was a band director for thirty-three years who remains active through judging, teaching and directing/managing the Mississippi Lions All-State Band.

“My first ever trip to Disney World was with the Pearl [High School] Band when I was about four years old, and I got to see my dad and his band do the Main Street USA Parade,” recalls Cannon. “I also got to march in the parade twice as a student in the Pearl Band.”

Participating in the parade in Disney World and retracing those steps taken with his father was a full-circle moment for Cannon.

“I have been around band my entire life, and I grew up wanting to do what my dad did,” said the younger Cannon.

Cannon is predominantly at the high school in Long Beach, but he, as well as the other band staff members, float to Harper McCaughan Elementary School for the sixth-grade band and instruct seventh– and eighth–grades classes at the middle school.

“I organize the marching band. I plan the camps, rehearsals, shows and competitions and communicate with the staff on plans and goals. I also oversee our symphonic band program and plan concerts.”

It takes a village, or a team of educators, to create a successful band department. Those in the Long Beach School District, in addition to Cannon, include Assistant Director and color guard instructor Nathan Waycaster, Assistant Director/Middle School Director/Jazz Band Director Adrienne Cocco, visual instructor and choreographer Megan Bradberry, front ensemble instructor Holly Brown and drumline instructor Jalon Cooper.

Even with the achievement of numerous goals in 2023, Cannon says the Long Beach High School Band will proceed in their pursuit to be the best they can be.

“We hope to continue building our competitive marching band and strive for the Sweepstakes Award again. We also hope to bring back our indoor percussion ensemble next school year,” Cannon concluded.

According to the Director of Bands, the programs at all three Long Beach schools aim to continue their march to success….without missing a beat.