Hoover High competition marching band snags 2nd state championship

The Hoover High School competition marching band recently captured its second 7A state championship.

The 185-member auditioned band on Oct. 30 competed against four other 7A bands for the championship this year at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. They came out on top over Bob Jones, James Clemens, Sparkman and Thompson.

The Hoover band won first place in visual performance, music performance and general effect (storyline), said Matthew Cicero, one of three associate directors for the band.

“We are fortunate we had the chance to perform this year because last year the state championships didn’t happen due to COVID,” Cicero told the Hoover school board Tuesday night as he spoke in place of director Ryan Fitchpatrick, who was out of town for professional development. “We were happy to have the opportunity to come back and defend the state title we won in 2019. We’re certainly proud of these students.”

Will Stallworth, one of four drum majors this year, said it was amazing to be a part of a second state championship. “It’s the best way to end my senior year,” Stallworth said.

Because there wasn’t a championship event held last year, this was the first opportunity for half of the band to ever participate in such a competition, Stallworth said.

They did a great job and had more energy than in any of the years he has experienced, he said. This year’s band also placed fifth at a Bands of America competition in Clarksville, Tennessee, in September, Stallworth said.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 7:14 a.m. on Nov. 10 to remove a statement that 2019 was the first time a marching band state championship was held. The first state championship competition was in 2018 and was won by Sparkman.