Vidalia SoundTribe to Pay Tribute to Bruno Mars

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The Vidalia High School SoundTribe will be paying tribute to one of today’s biggest artists with this year’s show, as they play some of Bruno Mars’s biggest hits.

Though former Band Director Elizabeth Taylor retired last year after leading the SoundTribe for 5 years, Assistant Band Director Steven Arnold will now serve into this role. Arnold has been helping to lead the SoundTribe for six years, and is very familiar with the band and its culture.

“I am excited for the high energy impact the SoundTribe is going to deliver on game days in Buck Cravey Stadium. The students are invested in what we are doing this season and are working hard to ensure the sound of the SoundTribe stays strong,” he emphasized. “The support from the community this season is truly inspiring as we cannot wait to cheer on our team from the stands with them.”

Benny Ratliff will assist Arnold in leading the band as the Associate Band Director and J.R. Trippe Middle School band teacher. “Mr. Ratliff is originally from Jesup, Georgia, and is happy to be back home with friends and family. He comes to us from Corinth, Mississippi, and has been teaching for 8 years now,” Arnold explained.

Vidalia High School Senior Matthew Peters will serve as the band’s drum major. “Matthew is a senior at VHS and has been enrolled in the Vidalia City School Instrumental Music Program since his sixth grade year,” Arnold remarked. “He has a determined attitude to lead the SoundTribe to success this season, and a strong work ethic to guide others to success. We are incredibly proud to have Matthew as our Drum Major.”

Alongside Peters, several students have been named band section leaders and will help to lead their peers throughout the season. These students are Band Captain Luz Maria Alonso Resendiz; Woodwind Captains Gavin Zainey, Gabriel Burkett, and Samantha Hall; Brass Captains Ethan Hart, Brayden Klein, and Aaliyah Green; Percussion Captain Cullen Jackson; Percussion Co-Captain Jo’Hari Shinhoster; Guard Captain Yinalie Perez Torres; Equipment Manager Leartis Daniels, and Equipment Team Members Aidan Ellis, Cristian Graham, Nicholas Matthews, and Kelan Campbell.

Spectators can expect to hear a medley of upbeat hits this season, as the band is excited to play selections, such as “24K,” “Treasure,” “Die With A Smile,” and “Runaway Baby” during the Vidalia High School football game halftimes.