Ysleta ISD marching bands make history advancing to UIL 5A State Contest
For the first time in history, three El Paso marching bands from the same school district have qualified for UIL state marching band competition. The schools, Bel Air, Del Valle and Hanks high school, have been preparing since the summer for this moment. The contest, open to 5A high schools, is held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on November 8. Horizon High School in Clint ISD also qualified.
Update: Hanks High School finished #15, while Bel Air and Del Valle high schools finished #19 and #34 respectively.
The Big Red Pride marching band will perform their show titled “Out Of The Shadows” at 8:30 a.m. (MST). They are led by Drum Majors Sarina Cundiff, Autumn Russell, and Belanna Castillo and directed by Manny Talamantes, James Cordova, Sarah Candelaria, Ben Perez, Sabastian Granados, Melina Banuelos, Lucy Banuelos, and Elizabeth Ceniceros.
The Del Valle Conquistador marching band will perform their show “The Search for Paradise” at 1:45 p.m. (MST). The band is led by Drum Majors Lyndsey Marquez, Ashley Campos, and Carlos Gonzalez. They are directed by Armando Martinez, Keith Morales, Robert Hayden, Matthew Fernandez, and Brandon Gamboa.
Finally Hanks High School Silver Knights marching band will perform their show “SOL” at 3:45 p.m. (MST). They are led by Drum Majors Nikki Melendez, Sachell Valenzuela, and Vivian Rodriguez. Directors and Flag Coaches are Horacio Gomez, Doug Brown, Cassie Cardenas, Calvin Edwards, Nick Flood, and Colin McCallister.
After the bands perform in preliminary contest, 10 finalists will be announced and perform their program one more time. The state winner will be announce at approximately 9:30 p.m. (MST). The El Paso Herald Post is live streaming the band warm up and post interviews.
Videos are posted on their Facebook and web page. Click here for the El Paso Herald Post webpage.
Click here to see a full schedule.