The Union Pines Band program consists of 140 + band students, which is a rather large percentage of the school, greater than 11 percent of the student body. Union Pines High School is located between the two small towns of Cameron and Carthage, North Carolina, and the fact that the band is extremely large in this type of atmosphere is equally impressive. The band is very competitive and because they are a rather large group, they compete in the largest division, class 4A, across the state, even though Union Pines High School is classified as a 3A school. In the fall semester the Marching Vikings compete regularly and have brought much prestige to the school through their superior quality of performance. During the spring semester, the marching band breaks into three concert bands, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, and the Concert Band. They all compete at state level contest each year, and have all received superior ratings in the last few years in grade levels III through VI. They have also received superior ratings at out of state competitions where they have competed against many bands across the country in New York City, Orlando, and Chicago. They are a great asset to the school and the community, and can be seen frequently at many events in Moore County, including the Fourth of July parade in Carthage, the Carthage and Southern Pines holiday parades, the Carthage Veterans Memorial Service, the Carthage Buggy Festival, and many other town events. The Marching Vikings also play host to the Annual Viking Classic Marching Band Competition in which as many as 20 bands across the state come to compete at Union Pines. This event has taken place 19 years now and has proved to be one of the most exciting venues for marching band competition. The Viking Classic is also a major fundraiser for the band that takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to run. This is a true testament to the great work ethic and dedication that the band students and band boosters possess which, in turn, helps the program and their mission to bring joy to their audiences through their talent of music and marching.
 

The Union Pines High Bands, under the direction of Rob Hill, have brought home several prestigious awards in recent years. This year alone, the Marching Vikings have received straight superior ratings at all marching band competitions and have taken the Grand Champion trophy at the Pinecrest Band Fest in Southern Pines, and placed first overall in their class at the Terry Sanford Bulldog Invitational in Fayetteville. They took 1st place color guard at the South View Rumble in the Jungle in Hope Mills, along with the Spirit Award and the People’s Choice Award which is determined by the audiences favorite band of the day. At the Cape Fear Colt Classic in Fayetteville, they received a superior rating at state level marching band contest.

Most notable was the band's selection to participate in the 2010 4th of July National Independence Day Parade in Washington DC. They were the ONLY band from North Carolina invited by the Parade Committee to attend. Selection was based upon performance videos and accomplishments from previous years. The Union Pines High School Marking Vikings Band has made a name for itself nationwide and has brought a great honor to the school and local communities.

Last year, the Marching Vikings had an outstanding season as well, having placed in every competition entered for class 4A. They competed at Scotland County, Pinecrest, South View, Fuquay-Varina, and Lee County. Their awards included superior ratings, and first places for marching, general effect, music, drum majors, color guard, and percussion. The Marching Vikings also received first place in overall Class 4A competitions, to include two Grand Champion Trophies for highest overall score of the day, and the People’s Choice Award voted on by the audience for favorite band of the day, where up to 22 bands throughout the state have competed. At the Lee County Brick Capital Classic in Sanford, the Marching Vikings took grand championship honors with a score of 96.8, an extremely high score in the marching band world of competition.

In the previous years prior, the Marching Vikings have received consistent superior ratings and either first or second place finishes in competition against many bands across the state. They have also placed first in many caption categories such as horn line, color guard, general effect, drum majors, percussion, and marching and maneuvering. They have competed throughout the state of North Carolina in cities such as Fayetteville, Raleigh, Hope Mills, Clinton, Sanford, Raeford, Southern Pines, and Albemarle where they won the grand champion trophy.
All three Union Pines Bands (second semester concert band setting) - the Concert Band (primarily freshman) the Symphonic Band (primarily sophomores), and the Wind Ensemble (primarily juniors and seniors) - have competed in North Carolina, New York City, Orlando, and most recently in Chicago, and have consistently received superior and excellent ratings. Recently, last spring at competition in Chicago, the Union Pines High Wind Ensemble received a superior rating and took first place in their division, playing the highest graded level of music, grade level VI. In addition to their top rating, the Wind Ensemble took top honors for highest overall score of the competition and was awarded the prestigious William D. Revelli Concert Band Award, which is an award of distinction. They have taken first place in many of the events with additional awards for outstanding soloists. As a result of these recognitions, the Union Pines High Band is regarded as one of the top bands in the Southeastern District and in the state of North Carolina.

Many of the Union Pines Band students also audition for and make the All-County Band, the All- District Band, the All-State Band, and Governor's school. As a result of such high levels of performance many students go on to pursue music in college and a large percentage of them choose paths for careers in the music field. Former Union Pines Band students can also be seen performing in university marching bands and drum corps international.

"The process to perform at these levels is rigorous," said Hill. "The bands spend a large amount of time in the classroom preparing until the day of performance where they are evaluated on stage by a panel of judges. In order to receive a superior rating, the performance on stage should basically sound like a group of professional musicians recording a CD. All the aspects of professional musicianship are the qualities that are expected during performance. If a band plays well, they prove that they have learned the many musical concepts it takes to perform, and possess the knowledge and understanding of what it is to be great musicians."

According to Hill, a very small percentage of the bands throughout the state that compete receive superior ratings. "Our groups are impressive," he said. "They are extremely talented and perform well because they have a tremendous sense of pride in what they do and their expectation is to give outstanding performances all of the time. They feel they owe it to their audience, and I do as well."

Union Pines High School "Mighty Marching Vikings" Band as they march in the 2010 July 4th National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C.