The band competed in the UIL Area Marching Competition this past Saturday at Robinson High School. The band did not advance to finals but, ranked 11th, one spot off from the advancing line-up. 

“It was a hot day and the big crowd of band members from other schools was restless and noisy as the Grand Band From Eagleland took the field and stood in perfect silence waiting for the prep time clock to run down.” band director Russel Holland said. ”It felt like the longest 5 minutes of our lives!”

In total there were 20 schools that competed in the competition with 19 of them being core, leaving the band to be the only military marching band in the competition. 

“I feel very proud of what our band accomplished,” Drum Major Yadira Yepez said. “They did the best they could and the only thing I could ask of them was to have fun and do their best.” 

The area competition has now been updated to occur annually, allowing for the band to compete every year. 

“I thought we were outsiders in a way, we were the only military band there,” Drum major Mason Wright said. “we showed out, did our thing, and did better than most schools”

This year’s marching show was the first that Holland produced and has now started working on the music and the drill for the band next year .

“I would like to thank Mr. Holland for helping us because we wouldn’t be able to do what we did without him and the other band directors.” freshman Liberty Talbert said. 

The top five bands that advanced to state from the area competition include C.H. Yoe (Cameron), Troy, Lorena, Clifton, and Grandview. 

“Three weeks ago many upperclassmen didn’t even know what area even was. Now we’ve got the entire band shooting for state.” Holland said. “The question is: is the Grand Band From Eagleland going to be hungry enough for the big win to push ALL of the marching season to get there?”