The Grand Band from Eagleland has taken home a sweepstakes score of all 1s from the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in Groesbeck on March 6.
“In order to prepare for the competition, we make sure to rule out any mistake that could lower our score,” varsity band director Russell Holland said. “Along the way we regularly record our progress so that we can see our improvement.”
The band is split up into two groups: Varsity and non-varsity band. The varsity band played Military Escort, Dominion, and Speed Mirage. The non-varsity band played March of Castle Rock, Gothic, and Plaza de Toro.
“I thought that the band had a good chance of making sweepstakes,” junior Connor Petty said. “We have tried very hard this year, and we deserve to make it.”
This competition is scheduled for every year and has undergone some recent changes, with the sight reading portion more lenient.
“The non-varsity band has many talented students and we read music a lot,” non-varsity band director Gust Witt said “The band works on sight reading a new piece of music everyday to prepare us for the sight reading part of the contest.”
Last year the varsity band received all one’s and the non-varsity band received two one’s and one two; this year the both bands received three one’s.
“I like Gothic, and it sounded good enough to play in the competition,” junior Angel Izquierdo said. “I feel like the competition went great.”
