The Rivercrest Excessive Faculty marching band left the UIL Class 2-A State Marching Band Championships in San Antonio on Tuesday the champs.
It was the third straight Rebels band go to to the state competitors underneath the path of Elliot Ayo, however the first time to march away with the gold. The band had beforehand completed 14th two years in the past and eleventh final 12 months.
“We set out our plan three years in the past to make this a 5 12 months objective. These youngsters labored laborious, and tonight they achieved it. It was a protracted highway. Tonight they’re realizing what laborious work can do for them. That is their shining second,” Ayo stated.
One other Pink River County band gained second on the meet. The Clarksville Excessive Faculty band, which was additionally on the occasion for the third straight 12 months, took residence the silver. Clarksville, underneath the path of veteran director Roderick Boyce, was eighth two years in the past, and completed third final 12 months. Clarksville additionally gained the state championship in 2017.
Rivercrest scored 9 factors within the finals Tuesday for the highest slot, edging out Boyce’s band by one level as Clarksville ended with 10 factors. Panhandle positioned third with 18 factors.
The remaining finishers within the finals included; fourth place Shiner with 22 factors, whereas fifth place Valley Mills recorded 23 factors.
Sunset positioned sixth with a rating of 27, whereas Tenaha rounded out the finals group with 31 factors.
The title of the 80- member Rivercrest band first place present was “Beacon of Hope.” The 75-member Clarksville band present was named “Ranges.”
“We set out with a objective that all the things we did, it was going to be for the youngsters. They purchased in instantly, and our directors purchased in, and acquired us what we wanted each time that we requested. And in the neighborhood, have been cultivating a tradition for band. Its been a staff effort, and all people is all in,” Ayo stated.
Ayo says the long run may be very vivid for his band with half of the group both within the eighth grade or freshmen in highschool. The Rivercrest band director was assisted by Darskan Jhaveri,Tyler Phelps, and Ayo’s spouse Jannah.
The Honey Grove Warrior band additionally superior to State, however did not attain the finals because the Warrior band positioned tenth total.
Boyce instructed his group that he was happy with their effort on the meet. that was displayed by them at state. Boyce additionally inspired band members to carry their heads up excessive, and be happy with the way in which they’d represented the varsity, neighborhood and county.
Boyce was assisted by Montee Ogwu, his spouse Marlette and James Black.
“This state marching contest was my final. Whereas I nonetheless have the will to compete, this journey is extraordinarily irritating. I hope that the bands success continues after I am gone,” Boyce stated.
“I’ve to thank the neighborhood of Clarksville for giving me the chance to teach your kids. And I’ve to acknowledge Mrs. Boyce, our coloration guard coordinator, for her dedication after her retirement. All of our guard members are new, and she or he remodeled them right into a seasoned group.”
