(by Donnie Meador)
The 68-member Allen County-Scottsville Patriot Band starts their post-season competition this week at the Kentucky Music Educators Association West Regionals. This Saturday, the band competes at 12:45 at Franklin-Simpson. A top six effort Saturday moves the band into the semifinals on October 25.
This weekend and next caps the marching season for the Patriot band---a season which started last winter.
“The entire process begins after Christmas at the top of the year in January,” Allen County Director of Bands Tyler Cook said. “Each year the Kentucky Music Educators Association hosts the annual music conference for educators in Louisville where all the music educators get together and workshop professional development.”
In the spring, Cook revealed the “theme” for the show---called “Totem.” The band’s costumes, flags, and props revolve around the theme.
“The theme was born from the idea of a modern sense of the word that relates to our groups’ identity, values and community,” Cook explained. “The main thing you will see in the show is two broken totems as centerpieces for our field setup that end up being built but the group during the show. Totem represented that group mentality that if we work together we can achieve more. It represents a cultural shift of using our medium of music to unite us to showcase our strength as one instead of individuals, much like a tribe.”
Cook and his band staff began the work of putting together the program. Music was selected and the choreography was brought together. Students were gradually introduced to the program with the annual band camp signing the start of all elements coming together.
Band camp is a two-week event in which the band works entirely on the program and the music. Each morning, the band works on the visual elements of the show. This includes learning steps and movements. The music is blended in. Afternoons are reserved for music practice typically in small section groups. The skills and talents of a staff---often times college music majors looking for summer work---guild band members through the process. Late afternoons see the band back on the practice field unless interrupted by extreme heat or weather conditions.
By the time school started, the basic elements of “Totem” were in place. Competition season started in early September with the band finally getting on the field for evaluation from judges while facing other bands. Not only does the contests allow for evaluation and review, but also festivals give glimpses to Cook and staff members of what needs to be improved.
Improvement has driven the 2025 Patriot band---improvement evident by improving scores as the season has progressed. At the Franklin-Simpson Marching Invitational on September 6, AC-S earned an overall score of 58.100 to place fourth in the entire field. On September 13, the band was at LaRue County for a day-long contest with a preliminary and a final round. In the finals, the Patriots were fourth in the field after earning a score of 68.250.
A week later, AC-S took part in the Logan County Festival of Bands. The AC-S score was 73.200---first in Class 3A and third overall. A double-header came a week later. At Warren East for a day competition, the marching Patriots were again first in class (69.950). Overall, AC-S placed second (Reverse Grand Champion). That night, the Patriots posted a 74.150---earning first in class and Reserve Grand Champion honors (second place).
After a community performance on October 4---the first time the entire Totem performance was presented---the band took fall break off. Practice resumes for this week’s KMEA quarterfinals.
“I have seen so much improvement in the kids and it’s so exciting,” Cook noted. “They keep pushing weekly to be the best version of themselves. They have a lot to be proud of and you can tell in their performances.”
The 2025 band recognized 12 seniors at the community performance/Senior Night. The list includes Kanan Carver, Carter Douglass, Aden Del Rio, Dane Jones, Breanna Keen, Hunter Loveall, Tyler Marsh, Hope McLean, Victor Palacios, Haiden Sandefer, Tucker Stinson, and JoyDale Williams.
AC-S takes the turf at Franklin-Simpson Saturday afternoon at 12:45 in 3A competition against 11 bands from across western Kentucky. The bands and their performance times include Murray (1:00), Franklin-Simpson (1:15), Elizabethtown (1:30), Pleasure Ridge Park (1:45), Breckinridge County (2:00), Butler County (2:30), Warren East (2:45), Taylor County (3:00), North Bullitt (3:15), Paducah Tilghman (3:30) and LaRue County (3:45).
“Regionals are a big day for all groups as they start to see where they stack up in the class in the push for state finals,” Cook said. “I am excited as we open the festivities up this year and get to take in some pretty good bands performances after ours which is something our kids most of the time do not get to do.”
Awards will be announced at 4:15. The top six bands advance to the KMEA Class 3A semifinals on Saturday, October 25. The semifinals will be at Warren East. The top six bands from the East Region quarterfinals will join the West Region to determine the final six. The final six will quickly pack their instruments and props and advance to the Class 3A championships that evening at Western Kentucky University.
AC-S has never reached the state marching band finals. However, the Patriot band has been a consistent participant in the state KMEA semifinals. For 21 consecutive years under the leadership of retired band director Shawn Huff, AC-S participated in the state semifinals. The program’s best finish was a fifth place in 2015 and seconds in 1998 and 2009. It should be noted that until recent years, the state finals included only the top four bands in a class as opposed to now when the top six reach the finals.
Under Cook, AC-S has reached the state semifinals three times---in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Last year, AC-S placed 12th overall.
Admission for Saturday’s quarterfinals at Franklin-Simpson is $15.00.