FHS Band Takes Top Honors

Published October 26, 2016

The Franklin Marching Band won top honors at the 55th Annual Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, earning the title of Grand Champion with their performance of this year’s show, Mastermind.

The band also defended its state championship title, bringing home the prestigious Governor’s Cup for the sixth time.

The Contest of Champions is the longest continuously held band competition in the United States, and this year it drew 21 bands from Tennessee and Alabama.

Franklin’s preliminary performance, which earned them a spot in the finals competition, also secured the Class AAA Championship.

Classifications are based on the size of the band, but during finals, bands compete regardless of classification.

Franklin’s Mastermind show features musical compositions by actor Sir Anthony Hopkins and John Mackey. The band is under the direction of David Aydelott and assistant directors Michael Holland and Jacob Campos.

On October 29, the band will compete at Bands of America’s Super Regional at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. On November 5, the band will host its annual Community Cavalcade at Howard Gamble Stadium at Franklin High School.

The performance begins at 7 p.m., and admission is free. The band will wrap up its marching season at the Bands of America’s Grand National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from November 10-12.