The Marching Metal Militia from Kell High School hopes their version of Metallica's "One" is enough to win them $15K of new equipment for the school. The Longhorn Band is in the Top 5 in their category of Medium-sized band of 75-124 members.
"We are so excited to be in the Top 5 of the Metallica Marching Band competition!" said Band Director David Roth with a smile. "We are so proud of this group of young people and are honored that their performance is getting recognition."
This is the first year for the Metallica Marching Band Competition, and the talent level across the country is incredible. More than 100 high school bands and more than 30 colleges submitted performances. It is fun and challenging for high school bands to adapt a guitar-heavy metal sound like Metallica's to a marching band with dozens of different instruments. But the Longhorn Band was up for the challenge, as you can see and hear in the video.
Kell's fall marching show was titled "Heavy Metals" and featured music from Metallica (including "One") as well as AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and other well-known rock bands. The students love performing these songs, and the community has told Director Roth that they love the show and the choice of songs.
"We take great pride in the Kell Marching Band and representing the best of the Kell High School community. Our students learn about marching, music, and performance, of course, but they also learn invaluable lessons in leadership, communication, teamwork, time management, and personal accountability," said Director Roth about the benefits of being involved in the marching band.
The Marching Band is the largest organization at Kell and one of the largest in Cobb County despite being the smallest school in the District. Band students rehearse hundreds of hours from the end of July through the end of October, developing their technique and skills—marching, playing, spinning, dancing, drumming, etc.—to bring the show to life.
Help the Longhorn Band win the inaugural Metallica Marching Band Competition by texting #HSKELL to 833-609-0330. Voting is open until December 31, so tell your friends and family to vote for the Kell Marching Band and help them get some new equipment courtesy of Metallica and the context sponsors. Best of luck to Director Roth and the Kell Marching Band. Vote for Kell! Vote for "One!"
