History – Grafton High School Bands

The Grafton High Band has a long and successful history over the years. GHS Marching Band made its debut appearance in September 1996!

Grafton High School is part of the York County Public School system located on the lower peninsula in southeast Virginia near the historic triangle of Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg.

The Grafton Complex opened its doors in 1996 with a total of 96 musicians in the first year. There was a marching band and one concert band. With students coming from Tabb and York, the transition period was full of challenges. In the twenty years that the school has been in existence, the band program has grown up to 240 musicians with a marching band, three different levels of concert bands, a jazz ensemble and a percussion ensemble. In January 2006, a new band room was built onto Grafton HS to accommodate the bands’ growth.

Grafton bands consistently earn superior ratings at the state marching and concert festivals throughout the years and have been named a Virginia Honor Band twelve consecutive times. The marching bands have been named Grand Champions of several competitions including the Hermitage Invitational, the Hanover Invitational, Warrior Classic, the Warhill Invitational, Mills Godwin Invitational, and the Marching Marlin Classic. The bands also do well in Spring Competitions having won Grand Champions at Myrtle Beach, Toronto, Cleveland, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta and most recently New York. The Grafton Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2007 and 2014 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference.

2025-2026

Coming soon!

2024-2025 – “From Dusk to Dawn”

Hermitage Classic -1^st Place Auxiliary,1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Visual, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Auxiliary, Best Overall Percussion, Red Division Champion, Overall Grand Champion. Warhill Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Majors, Best Music, Best Visual, Best General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. Warrior Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Visual, Best Music, Best General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. VBODA State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Williamsburg Showcase – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Visual, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAA, Best Overall Auxiliary, Best Overall Percussion, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Visual, Best Overall General Effect, 1^st Place Overall Class AAA-AAAAA, Grand Champion. Spring Trip to Orlando – Parade through Universal Studios. VBODA State Concert Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2024-2025. Grafton High School 20 Year Honor Band Award. VBODA Jazz Assessment – Superior Rating.

2023-2024 – “Ex Machina”

Monarch Invitational – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAA, Grand Champion. Hermitage Classic – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 2^nd Place Percussion, 2^nd Place Music, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Best Red Division Champion, Best Overall General Effect, Grand Champion. Williamsburg Showcase – 1^st Place Band Class AAAA, 2^nd Place Percussion Overall, 2^nd Place Guard Overall, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Visual, Best Overall General Effect, Grand Champion. VBODA State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Visual, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, 1^st Place Band Class AAA-AAAA-AAAAA, Grand Champion. VBODA State Concert Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2023-2024. Spring Trip to NYC. VBODA Jazz Assessment – Superior Rating.

2022-2023 – “Breakthrough”

Hermitage Classic – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, Red Division Champion, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Marching, Best Overall General Effect, Grand Champion. Williamsburg Showcase – 1^st Place Overall General Effect, Grand Champion. VBODA State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Tallwood Invitational – Visual Ensemble, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best General Effect, Best, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, 2^nd Place Overall. Warrior Classic – Best Drum Major, 2^nd Place Guard, 2^nd Place Percussion, 2^nd Place Music, 2^nd Place Marching, 2^nd Place General Effect, 2^nd Place Band Class AAAA. 2^nd Place overall. Spring Trip to Orlando, FL – Parade through the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. VBODA State Concert Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade IV/V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2022-2023. VBODA Jazz Assessment – Superior Rating.

2021-2022 – “Thrones”

Hermitage Classic – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Red Division Champion, Overall Best General Effect, Overall Best Marching, Overall Best Music, Grand Champion. Warhill Classic – Best Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. Gloucester Bands Along the Bay – Class 5A Best Drum Major, Class 5A 2^nd Place Band, Overall Best Drum Major, Overall 2^nd Place. VBODA State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st Place Drum Major, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Visual, 1^st Place Band Class 5A. 2^nd Place Overall. VBODA State Concert Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2021-2022. VBODA Jazz Assessment – Superior Rating. Spring Trip to Cleveland, OH – Parade through Cedar Point.

2019-2020 Theme: S.O.S.

Hermitage Classic – 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA. Best Overall Music, Best Overall General Effect, Best Overall Marching, Red Division Champion, Overall Grand Champion. Warhill Classic – 2nd Place Band Class AAAAA. Monarch Invitational – 1st Place Guard, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Drum Majors, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Guard, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Drum Majors, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA. State Concert Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2019-2020. Spring Trip to Orlando-Parade through Universal Studios

2018-2019 Theme: Redemption

Hermitage Classic – 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Drum Major, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Best Overall Music, Best Overall General Effect, Red Division Champion, Overall Grand Champion. Warhill Classic – 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Guard, Best Visual, Best General Effect, Best Music, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. Monarch Invitational –2nd Place Guard, 2nd Place Percussion, 1st Place Marching, 2nd Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 2nd Place Class AAAAA. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Drum Major, 1st Place Guard, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. State Concert Assessment – Combined Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2018-2019. 15 Year Virginia Honor Band. Spring Trip to New York City. Jazz Assessment – Superior Rating

2017-2018 Theme: Flight

Hermitage Classic – 1st Place Percussion, 3rd Place Band Class AAAAA. Monarch Invitational – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Major, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA. Performance at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of NASA-Langley. Lee Davis Invitational – Best Percussion, Best Auxiliary, 1st Place Music, 1st Place Visual, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Davis Cup Winner Class AAA-AAAA-AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. VBODA State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – Best Percussion, Best Drum Major, 2nd Place Music, 1st Place Visual, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. State Concert Assessment – Combined Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade IV/V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2017-2018. Spring Trip to Orlando – Parade through Magic Kingdom. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating

2016-2017 Theme: As Time Goes By

Hermitage Classic – 1st Place Drum Major, 2nd Place Band Class AAAAA, 2nd Place Overall. Monarch Invitational – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Major, Best Music, Best Marching, Best General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Drum Major, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. State Concert Assessment – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade III, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2016-2107. Spring Trip to Toronto – Outdoor performance in downtown Toronto. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating

2015-2016 – “The Greatest Generation”

Warrior Classic – 1^st place Auxiliary, 1^st place Percussion, 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA. Tallwood Invitational – 1^st place Auxiliary, 1^st place Percussion, 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. District Assessment – Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2015-2016. Spring Trip to Orlando – Parade through Universal Studios. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating

2014-2015 – Oz

Hermitage Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Majors, Best Marching, 2^nd Place Music, 2^nd Place General Effect Class AAAAA, Best Overall Marching. Warhill Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Majors, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. Monarch Invitational – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Majors, Best General Effect, 2^nd Place Music, 2^nd Place Marching, 2^nd Place Band Class AAAAA. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. District Assessment – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2014-2015. Spring Trip to NYC. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating.

2013-2014 – A British Invasion: The Stones, The Moon and Mercury

Hermitage Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Drum Majors, Best General Effect, Best Music, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Best Overall Effects, Best Overall Music, Blue Division Champion, Overall Grand Champion. Hanover Hawk Invitational – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Visual, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Grand Champion. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st place Auxiliary, 2^nd place Percussion, 2^nd Place Drum Majors, 2^nd Place General Effect, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, Tied 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Co-Grand Champions. District Assessment – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2013-2014. 10 Year Virginia Honor Band 2004-2014. Spring Trip to Orlando – Parade through the Magic Kingdom. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating

2012-2013 – Les Miserables

Hanover Hawk Invitational – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 2^nd Place Percussion, 2^nd Place Drum Major, 2^nd Place Music, 2^nd Place Marching, 2^nd Place Band Class AAAA. Lee Davis Classic – Best Auxiliary, Best Percussion, Best Visual Effect, 2^nd Place Band Class AAAA. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Dum Majors, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. District Assessment – Concert Band Excellent Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2012-2013. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating. Spring Trip To Toronto – Performance at the Royal Ontario Museum.

2011-2012 – Night

Hermitage Classic – 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Overall Red Division Winner, Best Overall Music, Best Overall Marching, Best Overall General Effect, Grand Champion. Warhill Classic – 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, 1^st Place Music Black Division, 2^nd Place General Effect Black Division, 2^nd Place Guard Black Division, 2^nd Place Drum Majors Black Division, 1^st Place Overall Band Black Division, Grand Champion. State Marching Assessment – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. Wind Ensemble performance at the University of Virginia Wind Ensemble Concert. Mills Godwin Invitational – 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. District Assessment – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2011-2012. Jazz Festival – Superior Rating, Best Woodwind Section, Best Trumpet Section. Spring trip to Orlando – Parade through Universal Studios

2010-2011 – The Final Frontier

Hermitage Classic 1^stPlace Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Music 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. Hanover Hawk Invitational – 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Music, 1^st Place Marching, 1^st Place General Effect, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1^st Place Drum Majors, 1^st Place Percussion, 1^st Place Auxiliary, 1^st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. District Assessment – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2010-2011. Jazz Festival – Excellent Rating Spring Trip to New York City – First Place Silver Rating Jazz Ensemble, 1^st Place Silver Rating Concert Band, 1^st Place Silver Rating Symphonic Band, 1^st Place Gold Rating Wind Ensemble, 1^st Place Gold Rating Percussion Ensemble, 1^st Place Gold Rating Indoor Guard, Overall Grand Champion

2009-2010 – Symphonic Dances

Monarch Invitational – 1st Place Drum Majors, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. Patriot Invitational – 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, Jimmy Collins Overall Percussion Award, Grand Champion. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Drum Majors, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. District Festival – Concert Band Excellent Rating Grade V, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade VI, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2009-2010. Jazz Festival – Jazz Ensemble Superior Rating. Spring Trip to Orlando – Best in Class Excellent Rating Jazz Ensemble, Best in Class Excellent Rating Concert Band, Best in Class Excellent Rating Symphonic Band, Best in Class Superior Rating Wind Ensemble, Wind Ensemble Overall Silver Award winner

2008-2009 – Fiddler on the Roof

Performed at William and Mary Halftime. Monarch Invitational – 1st place Drum Majors, 1st place Percussion, 1st place Auxiliary, 1st place Marching, 1st Place Music, 1st place General Effect, 1st place Band Class AAAA, Grand Champion. Hanover Hawk Invitational – 1st Place Drum Majors, 2nd place Auxiliary, 1st place Music, 1st Place Marching, 1st place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Drum Majors, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. District Festival – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2008-2009. Jazz Festival – Jazz Ensemble Superior Rating. Spring Trip to Myrtle Beach – 1st Place Superior Rating Class III Jazz Ensemble, 2nd Place Excellent Rating Class IV Concert Band, 1st Place Superior Rating Class V Symphonic Band, 1st Place Superior Rating Class VI Wind Ensemble, 2nd Place Superior Rating Percussion Ensemble, 1st Place Superior Rating Class IV Parade, Best Overall Concert Band, Overall Grand Champion

2007-2008 – Bond…James Bond

Hickory High School- Best Overall General Effect,2nd place Band Class AAAA. Monarch Invitational- 1st place Music, 1st place Color Guard, 1st place Band, 1st place Drumline, 1st place Marching, 1st place General Effect, 1st place Drum Majors, Grand Champion. State Marching Festival- Superior Rating. Patriot Invitational- 1st place Band Class AAAAA, 3rd place Overall, Best General Effect, Best Auxiliary, Best Music, Best Percussion. Warrior Classic- 1st place Class AAAAA, 1st place Drum Major, 1st place Color Guard, 1st Place Drumline, Grand Champion. District Festival – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2007-2008. Spring Trip to Orlando – 1st place Excellent Rating Class III Jazz Ensemble, 1st Place Superior Rating Class IV Concert Band, Excellent Rating Class V Symphonic Band, 1st Place Superior Rating Class VI Wind Ensemble, 1st Place Excellent Rating Percussion Ensemble, Best Overall Concert Band, Overall Grand Champion

2006-2007 – Heroes and Legends

Hanover Hawk Invitational – 1st place Drum Majors, 1st place Percussion, 2nd place Auxiliary, 1st place Marching, 2nd place Band Class AAAAA. Patriot Invitational – 1st place Percussion, 2nd place Marching, 2nd place Music, 2nd place General Effect, 1st place Band Class AAAAA, Jimmy Collins Overall Percussion award, Grand Champion. Mills Godwin Invitational – 1st place Drum Majors, 1st place Percussion, 2nd place Auxiliary, 2nd place Marching, 1st place Music, 1st place Band Class AAAAA, Grand Champion. Sam Ash Marching Percussion Show – 1st place. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. District Festival – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade V, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2006-2007. Spring Trip to New York City – 1st Place Superior Rating Class III Jazz Ensemble, Outstanding Woodwind Section, Outstanding Rhythm Section, 1st Place Superior Rating Class IV Concert Band, 1st Place Superior Rating Class V Symphonic Band, 1st Place Superior Rating Class VI Wind Ensemble, Best Overall Concert Band, Best Overall Jazz Band, Overall Grand Champion

2005-2006 – Noches Latino

Hermitage Classic – 1st place Drum Majors, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st place Percussion, 2nd Place Band Class AAAAA. Monarch Invitational – 1st place Drum Major, 1st Place Percussion, 2nd Place Auxiliary, 3rd place Band Class AAAA. Warrior Classic – 1st Place Drum Major, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Band Class AAAA, Grand Champion. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. District Festival – Concert Band Excellent Rating Grade IV, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade V, Wind Ensemble Superior Rating Grade VI. Jazz Ensemble Superior Rating. Virginia Honor Band 2005-2006. Spring Trip to Toronto – 1st place Excellent Rating Class V Concert Band, 1st place Superior Rating Class VI Wind Ensemble, 1st Place Superior Rating Class III Jazz Ensemble, 1st place Excellent Rating Parade Band, Best Auxiliary, Best Drumline. Best Overall Concert Band, Best Overall Parade Band, Overall Grand Champion.

2004-2005 – Pirates of the Caribbean

Marching Marlin Classic – 1st Place Drum Major, 2nd Place Auxiliary, 3rd Place Percussion, 3rd Place Music, 3rd Place Marching, 3rd Place General Effect, 3rd Place Band Class AAAA. Patriot Invitational – 1st Place Percussion, 3rd Place Band Class AAAAA. Monarch Invitational – 2nd Place Drum Major, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Marching, 2nd Place Music, 2nd Place Band Class AAAAA. Kempsville Classic – 1st Place Drum Major, 1st Place Auxiliary, 1st Place Percussion, 1st Place Music, 1st Place General Effect, 1st Place Band Class 6A, Grand Champion. Warrior Classic – 2nd Place Drum Major, 2nd Place Percussion, 1st Place Auxiliary, 2nd Place Band Class AAAAA. State Marching Festival – Superior Rating. District Festival – Concert Band Superior Rating Grade V, Symphonic Band Superior Rating Grade VI. Virginia Honor Band 2004-2005. Spring Trip to Orlando – Concert Band, Superior Rating, Best in Class AA and Silver Award Winner Overall. Symphonic Band, Superior Rating, Best in Class AAA and Gold Award Winner Overall. 2nd Place Parade, Superior Rating, Most Outstanding Drum Major, and Bronze Award Winner Overall.