Inaugural ‘Swamp Classic’ band competition

It was a battle of the bands over at Gautier High this weekend as a new competition made its debut.

The inaugural ‘Swamp Classic’ featured nine high school bands from the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast.

Bands performed in front of family, friends, and judges, who awarded first, second, and third place prizes and other awards in specific categories.

Gautier High Band Director Brandon Wilson says the event gives bands a chance to fine tune their skills ahead of state marching evaluations. “This is kind of a trial run for a lot of these bands while they’re preparing for that state marching evaluation. So, they get the same judges, the same quality of judges, the same experience and the opportunity just to get good feedback from judges so they can better prepare.”