By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
This year’s Union City High School band show has a little something for everyone.
With musical selections from Alanis Morissette to Jelly Roll to classical arrangements, the widely-acclaimed Purple People will present this year’s performance – In the Web – during football game halftimes and in a half-dozen competitions.
“It’s certainly a wide range of music,” grinned longtime UC band director Jason Deem, who began his 20th year with the program and 26th year in all in the field.
“It’s a challenge when picking the music to go with a show. You always want some things that people are familiar with, but you must have music that relates to the technical part of your show. It’s a delicate balance.
“We believe we’ve checked those boxes and achieved that with what we’ve put together this year.”
This year’s band has 75 members, 15 of those being seniors. Braylee Edgar will again oversee the color guard in this year’s performance, which will be directed for the second year by senior field commander Byron Abbott.
Preparations for this year’s show began taking place last December, with collaborations between Deem and writers, or essentially just a few weeks after the conclusion of the 2024 competition season.
Gradually, sound, the drill team, and percussion were added to complete the performance.
Practicing and polishing the final product has continued with traditional work during the oppressive heat of July and August, as well as nighttime auditions.
“Most people can’t fully comprehend the work that goes into putting together a show,” Deem insisted. “It’s truly a challenge because band is like everything else in society – it’s an ever-changing activity. Keeping up with the times isn’t always easy.
“Kids are pulled in a lot of different directions nowadays, and it takes practice in anything and everything they’re involved in for them to be successful. It takes a combination of preparation and patience, and it’s a delicate balance for us to continue to do what we do.”
Deem expressed appreciation to Director of Schools Wes Kennedy and other upper-level administrators for their continued support of the program.
“Having been elsewhere myself, I know personally that not everyone is as fortunate as we are at Union City to have what we have,” he said. “As in every other program, we have the things that we need to be successful. The support system is unparalleled, and I’m grateful.”
The first competition of the fall season for the Marching Tornadoes is set for Sept. 20 at South Gibson County High School. That will be followed by the UC Invitational, which will showcase more than 20 bands in a day-long festival at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27.
2025 UCHS Band Competition Schedule
9/20 Hornet Invitational
South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN
9/27 Union City Invitational
Union City High School, Union City, TN
10/4 Tournament of Champions
Collierville High School, Collierville, TN
10/18 Gibson County Marching Invitational
Gibson County High School, Dyer, TN
10/25 Crockett County Invitational
Crockett County High School, Alamo, TN
Tennessee Division II State Marching Band Championship
Stewarts Creek High School, Smyrna, TN