On March 28th, 2024 Wind Ensemble (1st band), Symphonic Winds (2nd band), and Symphonic Band (3rd band), competed in the 2024 UIL Concert band competition. Symphonic Band departed early in the morning earning all 1’s, the highest ranking, in their performances of New Forest March, Lone Eagle and Joy. The band then sight read and earned another 1. The sight reading process allows bands to be challenged on their learning skills by giving them a short musical piece to study/practice for 8 minutes and then perform for judges.
“All of our songs sounded like our best rehearsals and everyone was really proud of it. Sight reading was a little bumpy, but we were able to fix most of our mistakes before we played for the judges.” Abi Mesa, 12, said.
Symphonic Winds performed next with their performance of Invercarvill, Rikidum, and Sundance. The performance went perfectly, and the band was rewarded for their hard work with all 1’s. These pieces were some of the hardest performed by this band in years. Then they played in sight reading earning another 1 for the books.
“I was really nervous for Sundance because we have a horn solo in it but it ended up sounding pretty good!” Addison Archbold, 12, said.
In the evening, the Wind Ensemble cleaned up the night with a beautiful performance of El Camino Real, Gallop, and Famishius Fantasticus. Even with an accidental music drop between songs, the bands earned all 1’s for the fourth year in a row. They moved on to sight reading and swept away the judges earning the final 1 of the night.
All three bands did amazing, and for the first time in years all three bands earned sweepstakes on every song and in every category.
