HCHS Marching Band Wins First in Class
HCHS band field commander Brianna Nolan dances before playing her instrument solo during the band’s performance at halftime of the Hornets football game Friday.
Hancock County High School Marching Band has already achieved stellar accomplishments for the 2022/2023 school year. HCHS Band Director Zachary Buskill provided an update on their winnings so far and what’s coming up in the next weeks.
“We had 2 competitions so far. Our third and fourth competitions are this Saturday (September 24) and Saturday, October 1. The previous 2 competitions were on September 10 and September 17. We placed First in our Class at both. We got best Color Guard at both. On our first competition, we got Best Percussion as well,”
Jackson Forbes shows his skills while playing the bells during the band’s Friday night performance at the high school.
Buskill said. “The good thing is so far this year in every competition we’ve placed first in our class. Looking forward, we have a competition every Saturday from now through October, except for October 15 (the Saturday at the end of Fall Break). Besides that, we’ll have one every Saturday. As we go through each competition, we’ll compete against other bands and we will be adding more to our show,” he said.
Jacelyn Herrmann plays the clarinet while marching with the band Friday at HCHS
It all leads up to the State Marching Band Championships, which are on Saturday, October 29 at Eastern Kentucky State University.
“In 2019, we placed first in Class A and last year we were fourth in Class 2-A,” Buskill said. “We are, again, in Class 2-A this year. So, we hope to improve upon that and be one of the best bands in the State in our class – that’s the goal.”
Buskill plays the saxophone and started at HCHS in 2017 as Assistant Band Director with Director Mark Benningfield. When Benningfield retired in the spring of 2021, Buskill took over as Director. This is his second year as HCHS Marching Band Director, and he is also the HCMS Band Director.
Brooklyn Porter smiles following her ballet performance before joining the color guard during the color during the HCHS band’s show Friday
It all leads up to the State Marching Band Championships, which are on Saturday, October 29 at Eastern Kentucky State University.
“In 2019, we placed first in Class A and last year we were fourth in Class 2-A,” Buskill said. “We are, again, in Class 2-A this year. So, we hope to improve upon that and be one of the best bands in the State in our class – that’s the goal.”
Buskill plays the saxophone and started at HCHS in 2017 as Assistant Band Director with Director Mark Benningfield. When Benningfield retired in the spring of 2021, Buskill took over as Director. This is his second year as HCHS Marching Band Director, and he is also the HCMS Band Director.
