Members of the San Benito High School Mighty Greyhound Band drumline are seen celebrating their division 1 rating at Pigskin Saturday. (Courtesy photo)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The Mighty Greyhound Band will be traveling to Laredo, Texas for the area marching band competition on Saturday, October 27, or the precursor to the state competition.
There are 42 bands competing at this, the Area G, tournament which encompasses all of South Texas, from the Valley to San Antonio. SBHS Director of Instrumental Ensembles, Wilberto Perez explained, “All bands that received a division 1 rating at Pigskin Jubilee (held last Saturday) will automatically advance to area.”
For every five bands performing at area, one band will advance to the state competition. This means a total of eight bands will advance from this contest to the State Marching Competition, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Should the band advance, Perez explained, “We will have one more week of rehearsal to get ready for state.”
“Right now, we’re competing against the best 42 bands in our area. At state, we’ll be competing against the best bands from the state of Texas,” expressed Perez, who is confident in his band to perform well.
Perez went on to say, “We are the largest area in the state of Texas.”
After the state marching competition, the Greyhound band will start individual contests. “Kids will compete against others in the area for All Region Band in November. In February, we start our solo and ensemble competition in which the kids compete individually for solo and ensemble and have an opportunity to advance to state,” said Perez of the competitions which are part of the Texas Music Educators Association.
“Last year, San Benito had the most kids from our area at state solo and ensemble,” said Perez, where several SBHS students reportedly received division 1 ratings – the highest rating – at the state level. “We brought home over 50 medals last year for SBHS. At state, you’re playing for college professors, and they’re strict with their ratings. They don’t just give them out!”
Additionally, Perez is grateful and wanted to share his appreciation for all those involved in making the Greyhound band great. “We want to thank all the parents for their support, the administration, school board members and Superintendent of Schools Mr. Limón.” Perez added, “In band, it takes a lot of funding to buy quality instruments and to be able to have the budget. It takes a lot of cooperation. We can’t do it without the support of the administration.”
The area competition will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. with the last band performing at 6:30 p.m. San Benito is slated to perform at 3 p.m. Ten of the 42 bands at the area meet will be selected to perform at a finals competition, which is slated to begin at 9:45 p.m.
So for those who’re up for a road trip, Perez encourages the public to support the band. “We would like to see everyone there on Saturday in Laredo!” he exclaimed.
Read this story in the Oct. 28 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
5 comments
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Never get tired of visiting San Antonio a differnt experiance eveytime.
Wow that is awesome. So proud of our band students that they will be able to travel a little further and continue to compete. They are as good if not better than any other band out there! They can do it! It will be a memorable year for all these students.
Congratulations to all the valley bands who competed and those that advanced to state. We are so proud of our Mighty Greyhound Marching Band. Congratulations to Mr. Willie Perez and his staff, students, band boosters, and administrators on this achievement. Your commitment to our band program and students is to be commended. Way to go Greyhound Band! STATE BOUND! WE LIVE FOR HALFTIME!! and remember….Once A Greyhound, Always A Greyhound!!!!!
So proud of the SBHS Greyhound Band. They will compete at the State 5A Marching Contest for the first time in school history. Kudos to Mr Willie Perez, his staff, band parents, and of course our students. The hours of marching in 100 degree conditions have played off.
We support you and I’ll be there at the Alamodome cheering you as you take the field at State.
Go Hounds!
Once a Greyhound Band Member, Always a Greyhound Band member!
Way to go Mighty Greyhound Band! State bound!