Working...
Sperry High School Band Brings Home Sweepstakes Honors--Again
.JPG)
The Sperry Band of Pirates received the top OSSAA music award this year, The Sweepstakes award. Sweepstakes is the state championship of OSSAA band.
In order to win Sweepstakes, a band must earn the top ratings at the OSSAA Regional Marching Contest in October, qualify for state by earning top marks at the OSSAA District Concert Contest, earn highest ratings on stage at the OSSAA State Concert Contest, and earn top ratings in sight reading at the OSSAA State Concert Contest. It is a year-long process, and a school focusing on marching or concert performance only is not likely to make it. To receive the Sweepstakes award, a band must not only be high performing, but versatile with skilled and talented players.
Our band competes in 3A competitions. In marching band, 55 3A bands competed, and 19 of those earned a superior rating, setting them on the road to the Sweepstakes early in the school year. Of those 19, 16 qualified for state and stayed in the running. Of those 16, only five were awarded the Sweepstakes. The Sperry High School Band is in the top five of 55 bands from schools the size of Sperry. Of Sperry Band’s long history, this is the 3rd Sweepstakes, earned in 2016, 2021, and 2023. In 2019, Sperry Band earned the 2nd level award, the Outstanding Achievement award.
Sperry High School Band Director Ms. Makayla West said, “I am incredibly proud of our students and all of their hard work this year. It takes diligence and focus all year long, and there is no off season. The kids have 'upped' their game this year, and reached a new level.”
