March Madness: North Texas high school marching bands

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VYPE DFW Staff Reporting

   From Allen’s enormous Escadrille to 2A state contender, Melissa, North Texas is a hotbed for high school marching bands. Whether it’s charging energy into the home crowd with a stirring rendition of the team’s fight son, or wrapping up a win by playing the school’s alma mater, high school bands are an important part of the Texas high school football experience.

   But there’s more to high school marching bands than adding excitement to football games. In the last two UIL marching band state competitions, a VYPE DFW area band has placed first, second and third, while dominating the top 10 of most classes. This year, Flower Mound Marcus (Class 5A) and Argyle (Class 3A) will attempt to defend their state titles at the UIL State Marching Band Contest, Nov. 5-6 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

   Argyle director Kathy Johnson’s program hopes to continue a tradition of excellence that includes four state titles and three Texas Lone Star Cup titles. “The Argyle band students have a desire to excel, both due to the efforts of the students who have marched before them and to leave a legacy for those who will march with us in the future,” Johnson said. “Dedication, desire and preparation play a large role in their ability to excel. Students coming into the band program know the time commitments and physical demands of the program in advance and are proud to be counted among its members.”

   Argyle was closely followed by third-place Princeton in the last 3A state competition. North Texas schools Hurst LD Bell (2^nd) and Duncanville (3^rd) joined state champ FM Marcus to sweep the top three places. Coppell (5^th), Hebron (6^th) and Richardson Berkner (8^th) gave VYPE DFW area schools six of the top 10 places in the 5A competition.

   Why is the North Texas area home to so many great marching band programs? Johnson credits the emphasis area school districts place on fine arts. “In part, I attribute this to area school districts making the fine arts a priority in the well-rounded education of our students. This attitude attracts some of the best educators in our field to the school districts in the Metroplex area,” Johnson said. “It also doesn’t hurt that we are surrounded by Universities with stellar music education programs, such as the University of North Texas, SMU and TCU.” 

UIL STATE MARCHING BAND CONTESTS

(Area teams in bold)

2010

Class 5A

1. FM Marcus

2. Hurst LD Bell

3. Duncanville

4. Austin Bowie

5. Coppell

6. Hebron

7. The Woodlands

8. Richardson Berkner

9. Spring

10. Austin Westlake

Class 3A

1. Argyle

2. North Lamar

3. Princeton

4. Port Isabel

5. Canton

6. Rio Hondo

7. Wills Point

8. Atlanta

9. Crystal City

10. Fredericksburg

2011

Class 4A

1. Cedar Park

2. Dripping Springs

3. Frisco Centennial

4. Friendswood

5. Lake Travis

6. Waxahachie

7. Frisco Wakeland

8. Pearland Dawson

9. Austin Vandegrift

10. Sherman

Class 2A

1. Queen City

2. Redwater

3. Cameron Yoe

4. White Oak

5. Clifton

6. Forsan

7. Melissa

NATIONAL CHAMPS AGAIN

   The Plano Senior High School Planoettes are one of several area drill teams that boast national championships. In March, the Planoettes were named national champions of the American Dance/Drill Team for the fourth year in a row.

   “Our military routine was a crowd favorite, and it was such a great feeling for our girls, as we watched with awe the precise visuals throughout the routine. When it ended I jumped up clapping with joy, for all their long hours of practice had just paid off in that moment,” said director, Meredith Walraven. “This is the first year as Planoette director that our team, elite team, officers and sergeants all placed first or second in every category and overall!”

BIGGEST SHOW ON EARTH

   Allen High School received a great deal of national attention for its new $59.4 million football stadium. The stadium seems to be a perfect fit for the largest marching band and performers anyone can think of. The Allen Eagle Escadrille is comprised of more than 700 performers, including musicians, drill teams and color guard.

   “Well, despite being so enormous, the students here realize it is essential to belong to something that will complete their high school experience. Many chose a group or activity because of like-mindedness, and that, in turn, builds strong school identity and spirit. We all feel a strong sense of pride calling ourselves Allen Eagles!” — Lisa Smentek, Allen Tallenettes Director