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Southside High School
Rebel Band
Fort Smith, AR
The slogan we use for the Southside Band is a daunting one to live up to. We believe that our actions and accomplishments, both past and present, live up to that motto. Since 1963, Southside band students have earned 736 places in the all-state band (an average of 17 per year). Over 2200 places have been earned in the Region II all-region band (an average of 50 per year). Over the last 8 years students have earned 32 places in the all-state jazz band and 100 places in the all-region jazz band. In 2005 and 2006, Southside had students selected to the John Philip Sousa National Honor Band in New Orleans. In 2007, Southside had 3 students selected to this prestigious band, which is more than any other school in the United States. In 2010-11, Southside students earned 49 places in the all-state band, 7 in the all-state jazz band, 94 in the all-region band, and 17 in the all-region jazz band. Southside Bands have earned superior ratings at band competitions for the last 33 years and last year earned over 320 medals at solo and ensemble contest. The 2011 Southside band seniors earned over $2,200,000 in scholarships. Tradition is our foundation. We try to build on this incredible tradition every day.
The band program consists of 245 students in several performing groups: the Rebel Marching Band, three Concert bands, and the Jazz Band. In addition, numerous ensembles (percussion, brass, woodwind, etc.) will perform throughout the year. Southside Band ensembles have performed over the last several years for The United Way Kick-Off Breakfast, The Fort Smith Classroom Teachers Association Golden Apple Banquet, Veteran’s Day ceremonies at the National Cemetery, Veteran’s Day Ceremonies at numerous elementary schools, Representatives of the U. S. Marshall’s Museum, the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper to benefit Darby Junior High, the Fort Smith Chorale’s Spring Concert, the Arkansas Tourism Bureau Convention, a concert at the Arkansas Bandmasters Convention with the Dallas Brass, a clinic performing new music materials with the Dallas Brass, exhibitions at the Dale Bumpers Marching Contest in Charleston, the Fort Smith Public Library Open House, and the Fort Smith Pubic Schools District wide Back to School Meeting. The band has also performed at the “Paint the Park Pink” and for the sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. In 2009 the Rebel Band was featured in a commercial for the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship. The Southside Trumpet Ensemble has been invited to perform at the International Trumpet Guild and Trumpet Day at ATU in March, 2011.
The Southside Band has made many remarkable performance trips. The SHS Band had performance tours to Washington, D.C. in 1989 and 1996 with memorable performances at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Sweepstakes awards were won at the Worlds Of Fun Band Festival in Kansas City and Six Flags Over Mid-America Band Festival in St. Louis. The band traveled to New York City where they presented an outdoor concert at the Statue of Liberty in 2000. The band has also participated in the famous Battle of The Flowers Parade during the “Fiesta” in San Antonio in 1994, 1998, 2001, and 2004. In 1994 and 2004, the Southside Band was chosen as the Grand Champion Band in the parade. The Southside Band performed in a parade at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando in 2003. In 2005 and 2008 the Rebel Band performed at the Navy Pier in Chicago. In June 2006 and 2009, the Southside Band represented Arkansas in the Pan Pacific Festival in Honolulu, Hawaii, and performed a patriotic concert at Pearl Harbor. In 2007 and 2010, the band participated in the Flambeau Parade in San Antonio, Texas during the “Fiesta.” The band performed again at the Navy Pier in Chicago in April.
The Southside Band Program is built on an emphasis of strong individual playing. It is the goal of the Southside Band to develop high standards in both individual and group playing. It is the desire of the band staff to help each student develop these skills and knowledge to appreciate and enjoy music as a lifetime avocation. We hope this discipline and dedication spills over into every aspect of their lives. The success of the Southside Band Program is a direct result of the excellent band programs at Chaffin and Ramsey. The support and assistance provided by countless others is invaluable.
