Joe Barry Mullins Band Festival

The Grenada High School Band and Band Boosters is proud to host the Dr. Joe Barry Mullins Band Festival again this year. The festival is held in memory of Dr. Joe Barry Mullins, who was Director of Bands at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1969-1980. During his tenure at USM, he positively impacted hundreds of students. His outstanding teaching methods and encouragement led many of his students to choose a musical teaching or conducting career. Our own Dr. David Daigneault was one of Dr. Mullins’s many students. Dr. Mullins also conducted the University of Southern Mississippi Orchestra for many years.

The Dr. Joe Barry Mullins Band Festival gives middle school bands and high school second bands an opportunity to perform before a panel of judges and receive ratings in a setting similar to that of the high school bands that attend the State Festival each year. The judges provide helpful comments that each director may use to help improve his band’s playing ability. Medals are given to each band that receives superior ratings in their concert performance or their sight reading performance.

This year’s festival was held on March 25 – March 26, 2011, at the newly remodeled Grenada High School Auditorium. Performances started at 11:10 with the High School Concert Band. The High School Symphonic Band performed at 11:30. After lunch the 7th Grade Symphonic Band performed at 1:30 followed by the 8th Grade Symphonic Band at 2:15. Band performances continued with bands from area schools until 8:15p.m. The festival resumed on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and continued through 12:30 p.m. This event was free and open to anyone who wished to hear bands from all over the state perform in concert. Approximately 19 area schools performed during the two-day event.

See Ratings from the Festival