The Lehman High School Marching Band shows off its UIL Region 18-4A Marching Contest 1st Division trophy. Earned at Austin’s Toney Burger Stadium on a recent chilly evening, the trophy represents a ticket to advance to this Saturday’s Area Marching Contest at Leander ISD’s John Gupton Stadium, the greatest potential prize at that level being an advance to the Nov. 8 State Marching Contest at the San Antonio Alamodome. The Lobo leaders include (left to right) band president and drum captain Gwyn Wilkerson, drum majors Sarah Williams, Jordan Longoria and Harleigh Elliott, and guard captain Nicole Portillo. (Photos by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
Their rich traditions enhanced with another year’s performance deemed “Superior” by their judges, both the Lehman High School Marching Band and the Hays High School Marching Band swept to Region 18 Division 1 ratings recently. The twin wins propelled the programs into this Saturday’s 4A-Area D Marching Contest at Leander ISD’s John Gupton Stadium.
Already honored by the advance to this weekend’s competition, both the Lobos and Rebs have their eyes firmly focused on qualifying for that golden ring: the coveted trip to this year’s State UIL 4A Band Marching Contest Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Lehman High School Director Joey Lucita and his Hays High School counterpart, Tony Gibbs, shared similar thoughts coming out of their Region 18 competition at Austin’s Toney Burger Center. Lucita, whose bands have advanced every year since 2004, Lehman’s first year of eligibility, called it a “distinct privilege” to move on in the competition. Gibbs, who continues to add to the Rebel bands’ now-27 straight years of Division 1 marching, proudly acknowledged his devoted students’ “impressive performance” at Region.
Lucita noted the year “began with high expectations from the staff, bringing on a new team of designers, a new marching style, and an overhaul of many of our fundamental techniques,” the effort showcasing itself through this year’s program, “Statuesque.” Region judges’ comments included “Outstanding performance! Great Show!” and “Love the production!” and “many really nice musical moments!”
Gibbs said his students “have done a tremendous job of exhibiting their commitment to excellence by performing at a higher level every time they’ve taken the field.” Citing the difficulty of continued improvement after reaching a high level of achievement, Gibbs added his observation that “these students have done it time and time again.” Judges’ comments for the Rebs’ “Impressions of Joy” program were equally laudatory, including “Thank you for playing with such fine balance, outstanding marching – Bravo!” and “Great band sound, excellent dynamic contrast.”
Though the final line-up of Area D competitors has not been determined, both Lehman and Hays had drawn for their preliminary performance time slot Saturday. Rebel Director Gibbs indicated his band’s draw was for 12th in the day’s sequence, placing them “around noon,” he said. Lobo Director Lucita reported drawing the prelims’ final slot, anticipating a late afternoon performance, “about 6 p.m.” Band boosters planning on catching those performances should check with their respective booster clubs or the band halls themselves for the final schedule.
Both Lucita and Gibbs know their bands’ task of advancing to San Antonio will not be an easy one. Their 4A competitors from Dripping Springs won the division’s State Championship in 2009 and remain the defending State Champs. The Tigers, Hendrickson High, and the Rebels themselves all were state finalists that year, and perennial marching band powerhouses Connally, Cedar Park and Vista Ridge have all moved down from 5A to 4A recently and will present their own expected challenges for the 2011 ride to the Alamodome.
Whether Lucita’s “exceeding expectations” assessment of his band or Gibbs’ read of his students “willingness to push the limits of their expertise,” both programs continue to bring Central Texas accolades.
