Big Blue, Warren Central High School’s marching band, has a history of being a powerhouse, and at its last two band competitions it was evident members were carrying on the tradition.

During the Titan Marching Band Invitational held Sept. 28 at Ridgeland High School, the band – comprised of 140 members – was awarded Best in Class for Music, Best in Class for General Effect, Best in Class for Percussion, first place in the division and fourth place overall in the competition.

WCHS head band director Dr. Jace McMullin said he was proud of the outcome and credited the band’s success to hours of hard work.

“We started band camp back in July and put in a lot of hours and rehearsed for two weeks,” McMullin said. Since school started, he said, practices have continued and are held after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until about 6:30 p.m.

The students’ hard work was also recognized during the Southeast Regional Marching Championship held Oct. 5 at East Mississippi Community College.

Big Blue received the highest score of the night with Best in Class for music, Best in Class for Visual, Best in Class for General Effect, Best in Class for Color Guard and Best in Class for Percussion. The band also received a first-place award in its respective division, as well as being awarded first place in all competing divisions. The band was recognized as the Grand Champion of the Southeast Regional Marching Championship competition.

The last time WCHS’s Big Blue took home this honor was more than 15 years ago.

Big Blue’s theme for its 2024 show is “Paint it, Black,” a reference to the iconic tune by The Rolling Stones. McMullin said he, along with the other WCHS band directors, are instrumental in creating the show, but they do work with a company that assists.

“They help us write the drill, design the flags and the costumes and the props and write the music, but we will take the music they have and the show idea they have presented, and we will make it our own,” he said.

In addition to performing “Paint it, Black” during marching band competitions, the show is also performed during halftime at the school’s football games.

Big Blue is set to compete in two more marching band competitions this year.

Today (Saturday, Oct. 12), Big Blue is competing at the Bandmasters MHSAA State Marching Evaluation in Pearl and, on Nov. 2,  the band will travel to Memphis, where it will compete in the Bandmasters Championship.