Area marching school bands take to the field in state contest

Posted Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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BY EVA-MARIE AYALA

eayala@star-telegram.com

SAN ANTONIO -- The Mansfield Legacy High School band had an early start for the state band competition this morning with a 4:30 a.m. wakeup call.

But all 174 teens were up and ready to practice by 6 a.m. at the North East school district’s Virgil T. Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio. Then about three hours later, they were taking the field at the Alamodome to perform their program called “Signal to Noise,” which highlighted the progression of music from acoustic to electronic.

After the show, clarinetist Jorge Morales said he thought the band’s performance was amazing.

“I was nervous coming here,” he said. “But it’s been great -- all of it building up to this performance.”

Twenty six bands from across Texas are competing in the state 4A preliminaries today. Ten bands will progress to the finals tonight.

Legacy’s associate director Renee Goodwin said she was relieved there were no holes in any positions on the field for state. Recently, about 40 students in the band had the flu and were home sick.

“We’re very fortunate to be past that,” she said.

Boswell High School’s drum major Aaron Sanderson was nervous just before that band’s performance. He had marched with the band at state two years ago as a saxophone player but today was different.

“As a leader, you want be sure each one’s playing the best they can and set an example so that they have a great experience and get the most out of going to state and enjoy it all,” he said. “It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Band moms were running everywhere at the Alamodome and even back to hotels to pick up forgotten items.

Waxahachie band mom Lisa Richardson said she tried to anticipate any need.

“I got it all -- needle, thread, flushable wipes,” she said as she sewed on a button to a uniform.

Azle High School will perform at 3 p.m., with Fort Worth’s Southwest High School at 3:45 p.m. and Saginaw High at 4 p.m.

Those bands making it to finals will be announced at 4:30 p.m. The Texas Christian University band is expected to play at 9:30 p.m. before the champion is announced.

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