By Susan Burton, Henry County Schools Communications Director
Paris, TN- Henry County students participated in the University of Tennessee at Martin Honor Band program and placed in several categories. Students are led by Band and Music Director Grayson Martin who has been instrumental in leading his students to excel in music. In his third year at Henry County High School, Martin has been with the system for four years, beginning his career at Lakewood Middle School. “I’ve wanted to be a band director since I was in middle school due to the effects of some great band directors that I had.” Martin describes how being in the band is like being in a family, a home for students to learn and grow in all facets of life.
If you’ve attended a Patriot football game, you’ve had the pleasure to watch and listen to the band perform at half time and hear them in the stands as they cheer on their classmates through music. “He’s a gifted music educator and leader. He and his team choreographed the field show this year and the program gave us our first overall competition win in all divisions since 2019,” adds Dr. Felicia Bates, Fine Arts Supervisor.
Martin plays the clarinet and other instruments, and surprisingly, he plays the bagpipes. Having graduated from high school in Glasgow, KY, the bagpipes were a big part of the Scotties pregame activities. Martin was a member of a group of students who played the bagpipes at football pregame show and their graduation ceremony. He is proud to introduce all types of music to his students and hopes his students will use the skills learned in his classroom to be successful in all they do in the future.
Martin shares the success of these students who placed at the UTM Honor Band program:
Wind Ensemble-Top Ensemble
Abigail Black – Bassoon 1
Isabelle Thornton – Horn 1
Danielle Thornton – Trumpet 6
Gabby Matheny – Trumpet 7
Hilario Herrera – Percussion 1
Symphonic Band
Kaelyn Smith – Piccolo 1
Mattie McCormick – Flute 7
Hunter Webb – Oboe 2
Makenna McCadams – Clarinet 2
Cole Edwards – Euphonium 1
Concert Band
Angelica Santiago – Flute 3
Elizabeth Capurso – Oboe 1
Alejandro Cervantes – Clarinet 2
Matthew Ybarra – Trombone 1