Central High School's Marching Band Wins Every Competition

In January the Marching Tigers performed at Gov. Jay Nixon's inauguration parade in       Jefferson City, and last year it won first place at every competition it entered.

In an editorial Oct. 31, 2008, the Southeast Missourian newspaper said, “The 93-member band owes its success to the dedication of the students, matched by the support of parents and the guidance of director Neil Casey and assistant directors Josh LaMar and Billy Keys. Congratulations to the Marching Tigers … You make us proud.”
The first win of the season for the Tigers was Murphysboro Drums at Appletime.  Then came the Farmington Invitational, and the Washington Festival.   A week later, at the Bi-state Invitational in Potosi, MO., the band racked up more awards and a first-place win.

But the crowing victory came at the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival at the Edwards Jones Dome.  Last year the band placed second, but this year the band marched in for first place, beating 11 other bands and completing an undefeated season.

“One of the things we consistently get comments on is how our marching band has a concert band sound. To play as good when you're moving as when you're sitting is very hard," said Bart Pittman, a section leader, soloist and snare drum player.

Newspaper columnist Susan McClanahan said in her October 29, 2008 column, “The Cape Central Marching Tigers Band marched their way to a first-place trophy in the Greater St. Louis marching band competition Saturday.  A huge Tiger Salute for a job well done! Congratulations on a perfect season: all first-place ratings at every competition this year. You just can't get any better than that.”

--Information for this article was contributed by
The Southeast Missourian newspaper and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.