Two space highschool bands, separated by simply twenty miles of freeway, are as soon as once more gearing as much as attain their final purpose, as Clarksville and Rivercrest highschool bands will compete within the Class 2-A UIL State Marching Band Championships in San Antonio on Tuesday. The lengthy experience Monday to the Alamo Metropolis comes on the heels of Rivercrest capturing high honors on the Space C class 2-A marching band competitors at Lindale Excessive Faculty Stadium on this previous Saturday. Clarksville positioned third on the competitors for the second straight yr. Teneha is the opposite member of the group from Space C making the journey to San Antonio, after a second place end.
With the highest three bands in Space C competitors advancing to the state occasion, the Clarksville band beneath the route, of veteran band director, Roderick Boyce, is as soon as once more set to problem for the crown.
Boyce’s band introduced again a trophy and bronze medals from San Antonio in 2022 after ending third general at State.
One yr earlier the Tiger band simply missed reaching the finals by one level, ending in eighth place. The highest seven bands advance to the finals in San Antonio.
Clarksville did earn a state championship in 2017 beneath Boyce, who shall be again at State for a sixth time, whereas in Clarksville.
Rivercrest, used a powerful efficiency beneath band director, Elliott Ayo to seize the general championship at Space, and the band shall be shifting to the Alamo Metropolis for the third straight time.
Final yr the Insurgent band didn’t attain the finals, ending eleventh general. The band positioned second at Space in 2022.
Ayo, has now guided his Pink River County program to State in every of his three years on the helm. He mentioned when he arrived at Rivercrest, a 5 yr plan was put in place to construct a powerful band program, and for the band to climb increased up the ladder.
“Profitable Space this yr was one thing we had hoped would occur. My purpose was for us to be distinguished, and we preached to them to simply exit and have their finest efficiency,” Ayo mentioned.
The Rebels band homes 80 individuals, with simply 9 seniors.
“Proper now, we’re very younger with most of our children being freshmen and eighth graders. And we all know we’re in a very good space with a number of good applications,” Ayo mentioned.
Boyce, who owns 35 years expertise as a band director has a 75 member band. He says that he is aware of what it should take for his band to succeed in the highest.
“It should take all the scholars being on the identical web page with the identical purpose. We can not make errors. Final yr I really feel that we type of backed off within the finals. The scholars felr of their minds like as a substitute of taking part in all of the components, they have been extra involved about marching. However this yr they should keep centered with need and willpower,” Boyce defined.
After not reaching the finals one yr in the past, Rivercrest director, Ayo feels his group shall be within the combine this yr.
“Most of our children are new to State. The problem is performing indoors, however we have now been practising in some indoor amenities. Final yr we have been the primary band to carry out at State, so there wasn’t a lot of a crowd. This yr we shall be quantity 19 of 19 bands, the final, so we count on a large viewers,” Ayo mentioned. “We’ll simply should preserve them centered. They’re nicely skilled.”
The Insurgent band will carry out at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday in San Antonio.
The Clarksville band will make a cease in Terrill on the way in which to State so as to maintain a observe session. This has been a convention for the Tiger band Boyce mentioned, however the stopping level has been a lot nearer to San Antonio up to now.
Boyce mentioned he’ll head to San Antonio with a hungry group after the medal end at State in 2022. His Blue Tiger band would be the twelfth band to carry out within the preliminary spherical at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
“The end in Lindale woke up our children, and it confirmed them {that a} championship won’t occur just because it’s one thing you need. It’s one thing that must be earned,” Boyce mentioned.
Boyce retired as Clarksville band director a number of years in the past, however quickly he discovered that his calling had not ended. When he returned, the band housed simply 37 college students and he rebuilt this system. One yr later, Boyce led his band to State with 25 center faculty college students performing in San Antonio. From that time on, the band has continued to develop and prosper.
Ayo has assembled a band employees that he’s fairly pleased with at Rivercrest Excessive Faculty. His checklist of assistants consists of; Darskan Jhaveri, Tyler Phelps, and his spouse, Jannah Ayo.
Boyce is assisted by Montee Ogu, James Black, and Boyce’s spouse, Marlette Boyce. His son, Rod Boyce, wrote the music for the Clarksville present.
Honey Grove’s band beneath the management of first-year director Jesse Speer may even head to the state meet Monday.
A be aware on Fb mentioned: “We invite dad and mom, college students and our group to hitch us on the faculty to assist our college students and need them nicely.”
The Monday sendoff to State is ready for 9 a.m. at the highschool parking zone.
Speer is pleased with his band members’ effort. He praised them in a Fb publish.
“This previous weekend has been a big reflection of my educating profession. I’ve been blessed with superb scholar teams yearly I’ve been a trainer. Each single group has taught me to be a greater educator and a greater individual,” he wrote on the Fb publish. “I’m really humbled with my present group of scholars incomes a chance to play on the state marching contest. I want I might take credit score, however that is 100% their accomplishment. They’re those who’ve labored so laborious and pushed themselves to make this present what it’s. My spouse and I are really proud to be Warriors and may’t wait to see you carry out beneath the lights on the Alamodome. Congrats Honey Grove Warrior Band!! This honor is yours.”
The Honey Grove Warriors will carry out at 10 a.m. on Tuesday because the second place consultant from Space B.
David Cash contributed to this report.
