RB student to continue marching band with scholarship
By Brandi Miller / For the FCT
When the Red Bay High School marching band takes the field this fall, it will be doing so without one of its longtime, dedicated members. Senior band member Anna Jackson will be graduating in May after playing trumpet with the RBHS marching band for eight years, plus holding the title of band captain for six years.
“Anna Jackson has truly been a huge asset to the Red Bay Band program,” said Red Bay High School band director Jonathan Hill. “Her drive to succeed in music has been phenomenal and has greatly energized others around her. Anna’s dedication and determination have set high standards for us all. Anna will be missed, and we will definitely wish her well on her future endeavors.”
Jackson won’t be giving up her amazing talent for marching band with graduation. She received a scholarship to march with Mississippi State University.
“I received a scholarship based off my audition,” said Jackson. “I auditioned while I was at the college during the high school honor band. I played a short prepared piece and played scales and a sight-reading piece I had never seen before.”
Jackson said while she is super excited to be starting this next phase of her life, she will miss her days being an RBHS marching band member.
“I am definitely going to miss the people the most,” said Jackson. “Being in the band for so many years has given me a second family – one I will miss dearly. I will miss the long bus rides to games, the pep rallies and, most of all, performing under the Friday night lights in our stadium.”
The band at RBHS is arguably one of the best-sounding and performing bands around. The band consistently brings home high marks in competitions. Students and fans enjoy the performances and appreciate the hard work that goes into having a band of this caliber.
Jackson said this is one of the most challenging aspects of band life at any level.
“At Red Bay we don’t just practice seventh period throughout the year,” said Jackson. “We have our band camp, after-school practices year-round and competitions, and on top of that, you have to be able to practice your music and instrument on your own time in order to improve.”
Jackson said she would encourage any underclassman or upperclassman thinking about joining the band to never give up and to attend as many band clinics as possible. She also said an instrumentalist can never practice enough.
Jackson said the transition from a high school band environment to that of a large Division I school band is a challenge she is looking forward to.
“I am most looking forward to the challenge of playing with a larger band (400 members) on a collegiate skill level that is different from what I am used to at home,” said Jackson. “I’m also looking forward to the travel opportunities I will have with the Maroon Band.”
Jackson thanked her parents for their constant support throughout her years in band.
“They’ve come to every performance and always made sure I had everything I needed whenever I needed it,” she said. “I would also like to thank my past and present band directors, Erin Gilbert and Jonathan Hill, and my trumpet instructor, Ken Stovall, for pushing me to be the best I can be and for steering me to the path I am on today.”
Jackson is the daughter of Derek and Jessica Jackson. She said she plans to major in engineering at Mississippi State University.
