Mansfield Legacy High School wins 7th place in state band competition

By EVA-MARIE AYALA

eayala@star-telegram.com

SAN ANTONIO — Tuesday was quite the long, memorable day for Mansfield Legacy High School band students.

The 180-member band was up at 4 a.m. to make a 6 a.m. practice. They performed in the preliminaries about 9:15 a.m. and returned to Alamodome’s field at 7:15 p.m. to perform in the state 4A UIL marching band finals.

"I knew we could do it and get into the finals and we did," senior Holly Nicely said. "It’s totally awesome."

Legacy ranked seventh in the final competition and is the first Mansfield band to make it to state. Waxahachie ranked eighth. Other Tarrant County-area bands performing during the day’s preliminary contest were Azle, Saginaw, Boswell and Fort Worth’s Southwest High School. The Dripping Springs High School marching band was named state champions.

Legacy band director Glenn Fugett said he anticipated the band would make the finals so he tried to make sure the students had enough rest between the day’s performances and even had sandwiches delivered to the Alamodome.

He said he was thankful the band has been able to overcome many obstacles this semester, including bad weather that canceled practices and a flu outbreak that had about 40 students out at once.

"These kids have overcome these obstacles every time we needed them to do that," he said.

The band performed a piece called Signal to Noise that highlighted the progression of music from acoustic to electronic.

Dancing shoes

For Azle High School, it was all about the shoes. Big red dancing shoes to be exact. The band’s performance, If the Shoe Fits, included a larger-than life pair of red dancing shoes, a piece of flair even many band competitors were eager to see.

Azle senior Heather Richardson said this year’s show was her favorite.

"We take off our hats and dance, so people really get to see us," said the flute player. "We always do marching every year, but this is new."

The Saginaw band performed a show titled Romeo and Juliet that included a dramatic ending of the fallen couple. Before the performance, director John Canfield had all his 236 students doing breathing exercises and stretching as they prepared for their show.

"Marching band is very athletic, so this loosens them up so they do not pull a muscle," he said.

Boswell’s drum major Aaron Sanderson marched at state two years ago, but as a saxophone player. Though he felt more pressure this year, he said he wanted to make sure his band mates had a great experience and enjoyed the day, which he said they did.

"This really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said.

Community effort

It was the first time a Fort Worth school district band had advanced to state. Southwest High School students said the week leading up to the contest has been overwhelming and great. In fact, band alumni from as far back as 1971 sent letters praising the students’ accomplishments.

"They really inspired us," senior Victor Macias said. "They showed us it’s not about winning and scores. It’s about what’s in our heart and playing what’s in our hearts and laying it all on the field. They’re right."

Principal Yassmin Lee said everyone in the school and community has been celebrating Southwest’s success. The school had a pep rally for the band Friday and a jam party Saturday.

"Words can’t express how excited we are," she said. "It’s awe-inspiring. Their performance is so inspiring. My eyes tear up."

EVA-MARIE AYALA, 817-390-7700

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