The band placed first at UIL state and second at the Bands of America (BOA) San Antonio Super Regional Competition on its trip to San Antonio on Nov. 9-12.
“We’re extremely proud of the kids and their work ethic, perseverance in overcoming challenges and maintaining expectations to keep them competitive all season long,” Head band director Andy Sealy said.
The band’s trip consisted of two competitions, each containing two rounds.The scoring for UIL is caption based, with a rubric scoring system dependent on woodwinds, brass and percussion. More captions that can be awarded are production-based, featuring categories such as content, design and ensemble movements.
“The kids [did] outstanding in every opportunity they had, and got better every performance,” Sealy said. “Regardless of what the scoring systems [are,] you want your performances to get stronger over the four days.”
This year’s show, “Amorphous,” contains four solos: a flute, a piccolo, a brass ensemble and a soprano saxophone. The show takes more direct influence from its source music compared to previous years, including pieces from “Hunting Wabbits” and “Rocking Point Holiday.”
“Every show is different,” loading crew captain Parker Crane-Finch said. “You never perform two shows with the same group of people, which makes every show feel completely unique.”
The seniors who performed in “Amorphous” also took part in the “PenStriped” show during their freshman year, where the band also won first in the state. Crane-Finch said that there were various similarities to both shows.
“This show really brought out a lot of emotions from the judges and members from the audience, just like ‘PenStriped,’” Crane-Finch said. “I remember, [during ‘Penstriped’] we played our first note and I could see someone crying. This year, we finished our ballad and I could see someone crying in the press box.”
With marching season coming to an end, UIL regional concert auditions will be held on Nov. 21 and preparations for the Christmas concert start the week after Thanksgiving break. Sealy said that, despite the changing classes, performers still have to be focused on the unique process that comes with each year’s music.
“We had a great trip this weekend,” Drum major Steven Solis Welch said. “The results from [BOA] helped push the kids to strive for excellence being undeniable. I’m proud of the band, and not [just for] how we played and marched [at state finals.] [When] the results came back as 6A champions of Texas, it felt [amazing.]”
