Lehman High School Wind Ensemble finished off its competition season with a flourish, scoring perfect Division 1 ratings in both Concert and Sightreading at the 2011 Division 4A Contest held recently at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center. Lehman’s Concert Band scored a Division 1 in Concert and the Lobo Symphonic Band had first division ratings in both Concert and Sightreading. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
There were smiles all around at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center as one local band after another performed in the UIL Division 4A Concert and Sightreading Contest. Happily, one band after another walked away with something to cheer about in one of the true annual celebrations of the district’s music program.
Hays High School Wind Ensemble capped off the day with perfect twin Division 1 ratings in Concert and Sightreading. Coupled with the band’s Division 1 score in marching competition last fall, it meant a Sweepstakes trophy for beaming Director Tony Gibbs and his charges. Gibbs said immediately after receiving the coveted trophy, “It was an awesome performance. I’m very proud of the students for their efforts.”
Hours earlier, Lehman High School Wind Ensemble racked up its own pair of Division 1 ratings, prompting Director Joey Lucita to assess that “it was an absolutely awesome, history-making day” for his group.
Earlier in the day, the Chris Barrera-directed Lobo Symphonic band had received its own pair of Division 1 ratings (the band’s first-ever sweep of contest competition), as had the Tony Leflet-directed Rebel Symphonic Band. Lehman’s Concert Band, directed by Johnnie B. Green, scored a Division 1 in Concert, the group’s first-ever. Taken as a whole, the assessment of “history-making” seemed apt.
Judges’ comments for the Sweepstakes-winning Rebel band included such concert notes as “Many wonderful musical moments,” “Great tones throughout,” and “Super preparation of a most challenging program!” In Sightreading, superlatives dominated comments, as well, with one judge complimenting the group on “really wonderful sounds,” and another closing with “Really nothing to say except congratulations on a truly ‘Superior’ reading performance!”
