On Tuesday, November 8th the Vandegrift Band headed off to state. Going to state as a 3rd year band, winning a spot in the top ten during prelims and placing ninth in finals is an amazing feat for every single student who was able to participate in this year’s competition.
The band members left the school soon after the school day began in three charter buses that were filled with nervous and excited energy.
“It was a really emotional experience. Having our name called to go to 6th in the night show was amazing and then hearing Dripping Springs called after us was crazy. Going to state this year helped me realize how much of a family we are,” sophomore Caroline Slater said.
It’s no secret that the members of band are a tight group who are able to support each other in their performances, win or lose. They work as a team no matter what.
“Even though we’re just kids in high school, going through so many emotional experiences has helped us develop a bond with each other and love everyone like family,” Slater said.
After competing against the other Texas high schools, the band placed fourth in the preliminary round. The top ten schools from prelims moved into the Finals round. Vandegrift was one of four other central Texas schools, including Lake Travis, Cedar Park, and Dripping Springs.
Success is also attributed to the band directors, who have helped guide the band through many seasons of hard work.
“I wouldn’t have any other band directors, either. Spicer, Howard, and Pape are the best people I have ever met. They’ve become great mentors in my life and I don’t think I can thank them enough for what they’ve done for me and the band program,” Slater said.
Band was humble about the whole experience, and each of them will hold a different memory in their hearts for a very long time. After the preliminary round, the new judges were brought in and the band prepared for Finals. In the end, the Viper band placed ninth in the Finals and couldn’t have been more proud.
“It’s astonishing to be able to say that I was a part of the band and we went to state. There are not many bands that can say they did this in their third year of existence. Without the combined efforts of all the people in band and the great instruction of our band directors and their hired staff we wouldn’t be where we are today. The pride you have being able to say that we made 9th out of all of the bands in the state of Texas was huge,” sophomore Michael Mendez said.
The competition inspired many of the students to work even harder in the years to come so that they can make state once again and do an even better job than they did this year.
“Most of all, this experience has inspired me and motivated me to want to go back to state my senior year and give another performance that will really stun the judges,” Mendez said.
Band is very thankful for their instructor’s guidance to fall back on and lead them through the next few years.
“Without the instruction of the band directors, we would just be another band wishing we were good enough to make the distance. But with our teachers, we feel like a community inspired to be the best we can truly be,” Mendez said.
