The Muscle Shoals High School Marching Band was formed in 1965 by Mr. Charles Stratford. In his 22 years as Director of Bands, the band recieved numerous awards and traveled abroad to Canada, Mexico, Romania, and many other countries. He wrote the Muscle Shoals High School's alma mater and their fight song. Mr. Stratford served as conductor of the U.S. Collegiate Wind Band, and was awarded the Gold Medal at the World Festival of Music in Kerkrade, Netherlands. He died on December 28, 2006. Charles Stratford will never be forgotten for all the things he has done for the Muscle Shoals band program The Trojan Band has received superior ratings in competitions since 1966. In 2001, they traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to be the first band from Alabama to compete in Bands of America; they placed 2nd in Class A. The Trojan band currently holds the title of Class A Regional Champions for 4 consecutive years (2002,2003,2004,2005). In 2005, the band went to the All Star Music Festival in Orlando Florida, and was Class AA Champions in Marching and Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band and was the overall Grand Champion. Also in 2005, the Trojan Band went to the Southern Hospitality Inviational in Hartselle, AL and received all superior ratings and won Best in Class 4A Band, Drum Major, Guard, and Percussion and was awarded the Challenge Cup. Then again in 2006, the Trojan band received all superior ratings again and won Best in Class 3A Band, Majorette, Guard, and Percussion and was awarded the Challenge Cup for the second consecutive year; out of the many bands there, the Muscle Shoals High School Trojan Band had the highest score at the Invitational. In 2007, the Trojan continued their tradition of excellence: at the Dixie Pride Marching Classic at West Morgan High School in Trinity, Alabama, they had the highest scoring percussion and band of the entire day. At the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational, the band placed 1st in Class C, the percussion 1st in the Small Division, and the band was named Small Division Grand Champions for a fourth time (1997,2002,2003,2007). The band rounded out 2007 will a 3rd Place finish in Class A at the Bands of America Super Regional in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2008-2009 season was yet another successful year for the Muscle Shoals Trojan Band. The band began competition at the Dixie Pride Marching Classic where they scored straight Superiors, placed 2nd in Class 4A, and had the top scoring Percussion, Majorettes, and Field Commander, and was awarded the Challenge Cup in Class 4A. At the Southern Hospitality Marching Festival in Harselle, AL, the Trojan band scored straight Superiors again but was alone in their class. The Color Guard was awarded the Dexter Greenhaw Memorial Color Guard Award for highest scoring Color Guard of the competition. The band then traveled to Nashville, TN to compete in the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational. They competed in Class B of the Large Division and were awarded Superior ratings for Band, Percussion, and Field Commander; the Auxiliary were two points from receiving a Superior. The band placed 2nd in Class B, and the Percussion placed 2nd in the Large Division. Finally, the band once again traveled to Atlanta, GA to participate in the Bands of America Atlanta Super Regional. Here they placed 3rd in Class A, with a score of 68.75, and won the Outstanding General Effect award for Highest General Effect in Class A. The Muscle Shoals High School Trojan Band is currently under the leadership of Director of Bands Pat Stegall, son-in-law of Charles Stratford, and Assistant Directors David Water and Terry Ownby.
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MSHS 2004 "Perspectives"
MSHS 2005 "Round the Board"
MSHS 2006 "Amusement Park Sketches"
MSHS 2007 "Five"
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