The Fairhope High School Band has a long-standing tradition of excellence.

They perform at every Fairhope High school Varsity football game of the season, Fairhope’s three Mardi Gras parades, the Fairhope Christmas Parade, special events and ceremonies.

Superior ratings, including Best in Class awards have been earned in marching band since 1986. The Symphonic Band has been rated superior since 1988 at district and state festivals while yet performing music in a higher classification. Students regularly participate in solo and ensemble, all-state band, all-state jazz band and various honor bands.

Fairhope has one of the largest memberships of students in the all-state band and all-state jazz band in the state. Fairhope has had the most members of the all-state jazz band since 1998. The band program has also produced numerous musicians who are now music educators and outstanding professional musicians.

This year the Fairhope High School Band has been invited to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago, Ill. More than 160 band students, parents and band staff will be traveling to Chicago on Wednesday, March 12 for several days of sightseeing and then on to the parade, Saturday, March 15. The parade will air on Mediacom (Channel 4 WGN) at noon on March 15.

The band will be staying at the Chicago City Centre Hotel and Sports Club located in downtown Chicago. In addition to the parade events, the band will explore the Michigan Avenue Magnificent Mile, attend the Blue Man Group in concert, ride on the Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise and visit the Hancock Observatory. They will return home Sunday, March 16.

This is a big event for the band. They have not taken a trip like this in more than 5 years.

If you would like to financially support the Fairhope High School Band, please contact band director Will Duncan at wduncan@bcbe.org, or the band office at 928-9710. Your contribution is tax-deductible.