Tuesday, December 10, 2024
The Gatesville High School Fightin’ Hornet Band made history once again within the span of a week, first advancing to state and now bringing home a major accomplishment of placing eighth at state at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Head Band Director Jose Sanchez said that it still hasn’t really sunk in for him.
“It is very surreal to see how this group advanced throughout my nine years at Gatesville,” Sanchez said. “From earning 18th place at the Area Marching Contest to performing the ‘Night Show’ at state, it is almost unreal.”
The band’s day at state involved a lot of eager waiting and patience since they had time specifications for loading and unloading their trailers among other lists of what they could and couldn’t do.
Sanchez said that the best thing the band could do was find an area in the stands to have the kids relax, watch other bands perform, and appreciate that they made it to the State Marching Contest.
“The fight that is in this program is what makes it special. This group doesn’t allow any circumstance to define what they do or who they are,” he said. “These students work harder than any other group I have ever stood in front of.”
At any State UIL Contest, each marching band is only guaranteed one performance, but the Fightin’ Hornet Band was able to perform twice, with their second performance being in the finals.
After advancing to the finals, Sanchez expressed that he personally was in shock and disbelief.
“This contest is made up of the best of the best, and you can never really assume that you are going to make finals,” he said.
He mentioned that when the directors announced that they made it to the finals, there was just a huge pop of cheering from the kids. Parents, students, and everyone began hugging. He said that the energy was euphoric.
When band student Brianna Petrie first found out the band made finals, she expressed that at first she thought it was a fluke. “Then I realized that this band has poured their hearts and souls into this program and, ‘Here We Grow’ truly has been the best marching show we’ve had my entire high school career,” she said. “It’s a show that resonates with you and leaves no doubt in one’s mind that the Gatesville marching program does indeed belong at the table.”
“To say I am proud of this band is understatement. This band has worked extremely hard to get to this point,” Michael Hamilton, assistant director said. “It is very difficult to get to the UIL State Marching Contest, and making state finals is a tremendous accomplishment on top of that.”
He expressed that the students have been working on this program daily since July 10 and have improved a tremendous amount.
Assistant Band Director Corbin Myers also said that many programs go their entire existence and never make the State Marching Contest, much less finals. “Placing among the top 10 bands in the state is, itself, a huge accomplishment. This placement, and the previous year’s placements, is establishing a status quo for us,” he said.
“The band has been working toward establishing the standard of excellence of making the State Marching Contest. The band has been proving that we belong at the state level and the students are adapting to what that means on their end,” Myers said. “We have seen a lot more personal accountability from our students like hosting and leading their own sectionals on music and choreography.”
Sanchez expressed that the band put forth a great set of performances, and the best of the season. He also added that the kids were locked in and left everything they could on the field.
“That is honestly the thing that makes me most proud, not the fact we were just in finals but the idea that they were happy with what they did,” he said. “You could feel their performance and what it meant for them to be standing there with the best Texas has to offer. They earned their place at the table.”
Band student Joziann Smith expressed that being part of the first Gatesville Marching Band to make it to the state finals was an astonishing feeling.
“My freshman year we were state alternate, and now my senior year we made state finals. It just feels so good to know I left the marching band the way I dreamed of,” Smith said.
Eason Johnson, a band student, expressed that there is no stadium or environment like the Alamodome, and that it was amazing to perform our show there to show the State of Texas what it means to “Rep the G.”
“Performing in the Alamodome is an experience like no other,” Jaycee Shelton, a band student said. “I am thankful for being able to attend the state marching contest, because it has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends that I wouldn’t have made otherwise.”
Danny Rodriguez, a band student, mentioned that with each graduating class, they leave a legacy that the band works hard to fulfill.
Drum major and senior Alex Johnson said that making history feels amazing. “Being handed the trophy on the field, in front of hundreds of kids and their families was unreal,” he said. “The emotions and atmosphere of the band was spectacular, and it was the most positive one I've been a part of.”
Johnson also expressed that he felt even better when he discovered that the band was the second highest placing Division 2 school in the 4A class, only behind China Spring.
“I only hope that the band continues to get better after my graduating class leaves in May, that next year they place in the top five, or even top three,” he said. “They've definitely earned that much.”
Sanchez said that he is overjoyed, knowing that the current seniors have only known bar setting accomplishments.
“This is the pinnacle of what our activity is. All season we talk about how you are only guaranteed one performance. You have to be undeniable to earn the next. It felt so different to tell the students, ‘this is your final performance; you have earned the right to one last time.’”
Color Guard Directors Jeanette Collins and Jennifer Simpson also expressed their excitement in making school history.
“The color guard performed beautifully at state, and we are very proud of the unit they have become,” Simpson said. “Though half of the group is brand new, they proved that they belong, and we can't wait to see what they can do next year.”
Collins said that the color guard continued to push themselves throughout the entire season from June to November; through injuries, sickness, sore muscles, and mental fatigue, they showed up and showed out.
“We are exceptionally proud of the color guard for their hard work throughout the entire season,” she said.
Color Guard Leadership members, Alaynah Wrisk and Sara Kiphen both agreed that the color guard are more than just teammates: They’re family.
“The band is our family,” Wrisk said. “Our Band Boosters, directors, and fans are all essential parts of this extended family. Through countless hours of practice, games, competitions, and performances, we've forged a bond that will last a lifetime.
Emery Wood, also with Color Guard Leadership, said that color guard is where you learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience while creating something beautiful with others who share the same passion.
“The continued growth of this group and the acknowledgement that it takes dedication to be great is what makes me proud of this group,” Sanchez said. “They are not satisfied with being good, not satisfied with excellence; they want to be memorable.”
Band student, Josh Appelman, said that marching band is important to him because it gives the band a chance to work together outside of the normal concert setting and to pour their hearts and souls into a wonderful performance.
“It is an experience that brings us closer as a band family and gives us something to look forward to day to day,” he said. “Without participating in marching band, I wouldn't have the same relationship with both my peers and music as I do today.”
Sanchez also mentioned that the band program was lucky enough to have a great band booster organization that helped find sponsors for the band.
“We could not provide some things without the help of Poco Automotive, Muegge Air, Cody Key Plumbing, ANG Homes, Grahmn Cattle, Mayberry Metal Works, Tim Beck’s Maytag, Texas Farm Bureau Agent Justin Stephens, Laerdal Medical Corporation, Coryell County Land & Abstract, Bob Bates DDS, MJ Hanna Foundation, Extraco Bank, Higginbothom Brothers of Gatesville, American Legion Post 42, and Teresa Johnson of Front Porch Realty.”
“We hope to continue to make Gatesville ISD and the Gatesville community proud, whether that be with impactful performances or making history for the program,” he said.
