10-9-2022 Pirate Band Places at Competition!

10-9-2022 Pirate Band Places at Competition!

Joshua Chessher

October 9, 2022

Yesterday, October 8, 2022, the Pirate Band traveled to Heroes Stadium to perform in the last Pre-UIL performance of the Marching season, at the 39th Annual Rough Rider Marching Competition. Despite 10% of the band being out due to illness or injuries, these students persevered, and performed very well! The sting of not placing at last week’s contest has fueled these students to work even harder, and I am pleased to report that this week the students’ hard work has paid off!  

The Pirate Band placed 3rd, out of 9 bands, and Outstanding Soloist award for 3A!  Outstanding Soloist was Sophomore Vanessa Mercado. 

While some may ask why we’re so excited about placing 3rd, I am exceedingly proud of the students’ progress for multiple reasons: 

  1. Last year, we did not place in the top 3 at any of our Pre-UIL contests. 
  2. We missed 2nd place by 1 point! 
  3. A quick look at the composite scores for the contest will show the top three bands were: 

First Place: Hondo – scoring 240 out of 300 points (advanced to State the last 2 years in 4A, now a 3A) 

Second Place: Natalia – scoring 220 out of 300 points (advanced to State last year in 3A) 

Third Place: Lytle – scoring 219 out of 300 points (did not advance to Area Finals last year) 

Sixth Place: Jourdanton – scoring 202.5 out of 300 points (advanced to State last year in 3A) 

Seventh Place: Yoakum – scoring 189 out of 300 points (advanced to State last year in 3A) 

Considering that we placed among 4 other bands that all advanced to the State level of competition last year, I can’t help but be proud of our students’ progress! 

If you haven’t gotten to see the Pirate Band live in competition this year (or just want to show your love and support for this awesome group of young adults), I would like to formally invite you all to attend our performance at the UIL Region Marching Contest on Saturday 10/15/2022 at 12:15pm, at DW Rutledge Stadium in Converse. The band has the opportunity to progress from the Region competition to the Area level of competition on 10/22/2022, so we would GREATLY appreciate your support!