The Tuscola High School Band has a long history of excellence. From its beginnings during the 1930s as the Waynesville Township High School Band, it has thrived and become an integral part of the community. Being one of the oldest programs in the state, the band has consistently been considered one of North Carolina’s finest.

Under the leadership of past outstanding directors including Charles Isley, James Crocker, Sandy Boone and Tim Wise the Marching Mountaineers received numerous superior ratings and Grand Champion awards at regional and local festivals including: the long-running (70+ years) Bristol, Tennessee band festival (now “Music in the Castle”), the Land of the Sky Festival, the Knight Tournament and many others. They performed at President Lyndon Johnson’s inaugural parade and have been a finalist at Bands of America (BOA) national and regional events.

Led by Tuscola’s Director of Bands, Dillon Ingle, our long tradition of outstanding marching and concert bands continues. We have 80+ students performing in our Symphony concert band, the Marching Mountaineers, Winter Guard, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and various chamber groups.

Band members represent the school in the all-state and all-district bands and have been selected for many regional, state, and national honor bands including the Bands of America National Honor Band and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Band.

Tuscola’s concert bands consistently receive superior ratings at regional and state events. For example, from 2015 through 2023 the Symphony Band received Superior ratings every year at the North Carolina Bandmasters Association’s MPA (Music Performance Adjudication) “state contest.” (Note: the 2020 and 2021 MPAs were cancelled due to COVID.)

Tuscola’s concert bands have performed at the 1996 and 2004 North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) State Conventions. The percussion ensemble performed at the Percussive Arts Society state convention in 1997 and 1999 and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in 1998.

The award winning Marching Mountaineers have been consistent BOA regional finalists and competed in the 2004, 2000, and 1981 through 1985 Bands of America Grand National Championships.