What you never see is the work that goes into the band’s routines. While practicing every day, during school and after school, hours and hours of work go into their shows. Practice after practice they have spent time perfecting their routine to prep for competitions. The 2025-2026 show is called Flipped. The show is more than just visual entertainment. It has a truly deep meaning.
“Flipped is meant to portray the different personalities one might show around the various groups of people,” said Stella Walker.
Our Hernando Band is known for their show stopping, award winning showcases. Known across the state and the nation, Hernando High School’s Band is phenomenal. Since 2012, the Hernando Band has earned numerous prestigious awards, consistently receiving the MHSAA Sweepstakes Award each year for superior ratings from all judges. They were named MHSAA 6A Grand Champions in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019, and 7A Grand Champions in 2023. The band has achieved remarkable success at BOA events, earning finalist and class champion honors across several regional competitions. Their first competition of this season, Hernando Band came home with All Superior. They also received first in their class, percussion, general effect, music, and also won Grand Champions. This past weekend, our band traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the 2025 Super Regional Bands of America Classic for the first time. They came home with Class 2A Super Regional Champions. They beat out twenty-nine different schools in their division.
In order to win these awards our band practices for hours, daily to perfect their show. Mondays their practice runs after school till 5, Tuesdays and Thursdays till 6, Wednesday to the bell, and Fridays till 4, not including football games, and Saturday practices from 9am-1pm. Not only do they Practice during school they take at least three weeks out of their summers to prepare for the competition season!
“A normal practice goes from an hour and a half on Wednesdays to four and a half on Mondays. Standing and “walking” in the heat isn’t the extent of it. We not only do different dances and movements, but march across the field moving at 160 beats per minute to running around the field.” Said Gavin Parker.
Despite the hard work and countless practices, all members of the HHS Band program are proud to be apart of it and love spending time with their friends. Some would even say the band is their family.
“I love looking around at the front ensemble and seeing everyone smiling at each other. I’m going to miss my section really bad, I love them all so much,” said Coco Beloate.
Our band has close bonds with each other. These are the people they spend hours and hours with daily and have grown to know each other like a family.
“As a senior I’m going to miss the sense of community. There is not a single person in band that does not have a friend to turn to.” said Stella Walker.
The Hernando High School Band is more than a feel good picture or our Friday night hype. Our band is part of our school’s reputation and what truly has made Hernando High School what is it today.
