The Grand Band will compete in the State Marching Contest at Baylor Stadium tomorrow. The students competing are the first in the history of Fairfield High School to advance to State competition.
“I think we are doing everything we can to prepare,” head director Russell Holland said. “We have not participated in a contest against other military bands in over a decade so judging standards and criteria may or may not be in our favor.”
The Grand Band earned a score of 1-1-2 at the UIL Region Marching Contest in Troy on October 18.
“We had some real problems at the regional performance,” Holland said. “We have been able to correct several places that were not at their best for region during practice since last week.”
The band will leave for Waco at 6:15 a.m. after beginning preparations at 5:30 a.m. The band will have a full day of watching competitors, performing, and shopping. They are scheduled to arrive in Fairfield at approximately 11:20 p.m.
“We’ve been working non-stop for this moment,” drum major Brooke Cobb said. “I just know that our band will show up and show out on Wednesday; we always do!”
According to Texas law, directors cannot put drill on the field until August 1. In accord with this law, the Grand Band began practicing on August 1, known among directors as “drill day.” Since then, the band has been running practice on the football field 6:00 to 9:00 every Monday evening and every morning of the school week except for Thursdays.
“Compared to previous years I feel like this is the best the entirety of the band has had their music memorized,” tuba section leader Alfonso Rodriguez said. “This year the students seem like they are willing to learn and are dedicated to the art.”
The Grand Band first advanced from Regionals to the Area Marching Contest in 2021, succeeding every year since then.
“I feel Fairfield should come support the band,” senior Zoie Coleman said. “The band kids themselves do so much for the high school and we don’t get the support we give.”
The band is to perform in the stadium at 9:15 a.m. Announcements will be made at 12:20 p.m., and, if the band advances further into the competition, the students will perform again at 6:45 p.m. Awards occur at 9:45 pm. The entirety of the event will be livestreamed for parents and supporters at home: https://c.streamhoster.com/embed/media/WasBNW/OkdiSASLs2B/r/kgas. You may also access the livestream on: http://easttexastoday.com/.
“[Everyone] should watch the livestream of the event,” Coleman said. “This is a very historical moment for Fairfield, and a very important event to everyone in the band.”
