The 2018 Russellville Marching Panther Band season came to an end after earning a trip to Lexington for KMEA State-Semifinals. The Marching Panthers with 53 marching students and eight prop students, began their season in July.

The Panther band has spent four months, logging over 270 hours of hard practice, to prepare for this moment.

To share in their excitement, the band kicked off the weekend with a community performance Friday afternoon, Oct. 26, at the Russellville High School Indoor Athletic Facility before leaving for Lexington for their Saturday show.

This year the Class-A Semifinals were held at Fredrick Douglas High School in Lexington. The 2018 show, titled “Dreams you dare to Dream,” brought the Panthers a Top-10 Finish in Class-A.

Senior Ethan Paul, Low-brass Section leader, said, “Finishing up my fourth year in marching band, I have so much respect for Mr. (Brian) Brown and this band program. Mr. Brown really cares about each of his students and helps them push for their best. This being the hardest piece of music we have had in a show, I’m very proud the rookies did such a great job at being able to keep up with the veterans. Mr. (Trevor) Cardwell is doing a great job pushing the young kids to practice and get better. I can’t wait to see this band in the future.”

The band performed their show one last time Friday, Nov. 2, at Rhea Stadium during halftime of the playoff football game.