The Dawson County High School band started off the new school year with a fresh start.

A new band director.

Chuck Arnold said he hopes to increase participation in the program.

"My goal this year is to try to bring marching band back to what it used to be, "he said. "A long term goal for the program is to grow.

Right now we have about 55 students participating in the marching band and my goal is to be able to double that."

Arnold said that there is a formula for band participation.

"You want to try to have about a tenth of your student population to take part in marching band," he said. "Hopefully we can eventually grow to around 100 kids participating. We also would like to help students who are in the middle school level grow and want to participate when they reach the high school level."

Senior Drum Major Sarah Tinsley and Band Captain Drew Sargent are two students that Arnold said have stood out this year and helped take on leadership responsibilities.

"I am very excited for marching band this season because we are becoming better marchers and musicians," Tinsley said. "Many things have changed this year, but I believe these changes will make us better and stronger overall."

"The leadership team as a whole has done well and adjusted to the kinds of things I want to get done around here," Arnold said.

The band is planning to compete in two competitions this year; the first will be Oct 10 at the Blue Ridge Mountain invitational at Fannin County High School. The second is scheduled for Oct 24 at Creekview High School in Canton.

A senior at Dawson County High School, Intern Jake Alvarado plans to pursue a career in sports journalism.