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It’s good to be No. 1
The Alpine High School band picked up the coveted Division I rating at the regional marching band contest at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium last Saturday. The band returned to Alpine late Saturday night, escorted by police and sheriff’s vehicles and a caravan of cars. “You can’t really put into words the type of feeling we had [when the results were announced],” said drum major Gerardo Gonzalez. “But it felt really good.” The band marched at 1 p.m. Saturday and results were announced less than 30 minutes later, but “it felt like an eternity,” said another senior, Jazmin Estrada, a clarinet player and member of the flag team. When they heard the announcement, she said, “It felt like we were important.” Later in the evening, when the band was escorted back into Alpine by an assortment of law enforcement vehicles with lights and sirens blazing, Estrada said, “It felt pretty good; I wasn’t expecting that big of a line following us.” Both Gonzalez and Estrada said they entered the competition confident they’d pick up the elusive Division I designation, which indicates “superior.” “I felt like we had performed a 1,” Gonzalez said. “We felt prepared. And we felt the pressure that made everyone more precise than they’d ever been.” Estrada added, “I knew we were ready a week in advance. … During the performance, I felt good, was happy doing what I was doing. I was having fun doing what I had to do.” During the performance, Gonzalez said, “I kept saying to myself: ‘We can do this. We can do this.’” The past five years for the band have been a procession to excellence. Band director Chuck Wilson took over the band at that time and remembers having 16 people marching at his first contest. (By the way, they marched 71 Saturday in Odessa.) Wilson says he told then-Supt. Mike Davis, “It will take five years to get this band back to the top tier.” Seems like he’s right on time. Said Estrada, who’s been here for most of that time, “I knew we were improving but never thought about the past. From the beginning, people had to get adjusted to Mr. Wilson. A major thing that changed us: We actually had a band director that stayed with us for more than a year.” The program had had five band directors during the previous seven years. Wilson says he’s staying here and wants to students to grow even more. “Their attitude is what’s made the biggest difference,” he said. “I ask them to work and they do it. And a lot of times they ask, ‘What else can I do?’ And that makes all the difference.” “Their strength is their work ethic,” he added, “mixed with a lot of musical talent.” Wilson’s especially grateful for the band’s senior leadership: “Some schools have four band directors on staff, so we count on our student leaders to help out on a lot things.” Wilson is already talking about next year. “We proved we can get a Division I. Now, we need to take it another step and advance in state competition. That’s our goal next year.” What’s next? Well, at least three, probably a lot more, football games. On top of that, individual band members will begin all-region contests Dec. 13 in Greenwood. And then the annual Christmas concert on Dec. 18. If you’re looking for the next big goal for the entire band, get ready for the concert and regional sighting reading contests in April. If the band can manage Division I ratings in both those categories, they will receive the prestigious “sweepstakes” award. Few bands in Texas can make that claim. By the way, both Estrada and Gonzalez plan to carry their music on to college. “I want to start learning the guitar and writing my own songs,” Estrada said. “I’ll go to Sul Ross for at least two years.” “I want to join the band wherever I go,” Gonzalez said. “And right now, I’m trying to get into West Point.” Estrada, Gonzalez and Wilson agreed that the Saturday night back to Alpine was quick. “Didn’t seem like it took any time at all,” Wilson said. Then, back at the band hall, the celebration continued. Region 6 marching results Class AA Alpine 1 Coahoma 2 Colorado City 1 Crane 1 Grape Creek 1 Kermit 2 Ozona 3 Big Lake 1 Stanton 1 Class A Christoval 3 Forsan 1 Iraan 2 Irion County 1 McCamey 3 Sterling City 3 Water Valley 3 Wink 1 AAA Andrews 1 Fort Stockton 2 Greenwood 2 Lamesa 3 Monahans 2 Pecos 3 Seminole 1 The Alpine High School band picked up the coveted Division I rating at the regional marching band contest at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium last Saturday. Attacks on APD continue at Alpine City Council Once again, the Alpine Police Department came under fire at a City Council meeting: First from Anita DeVries during a citizen comment period, then from Ward 1 Councilman Avinash Rangra during a discussion Tuesday night on code enforcement and traffic offenses. An artful display by cowboy and horse There’s a graceful, artful ballet that cowboys, ranchers and West Texans can appreciate. Terlingua is Disneyland for adults Avalanche staff |
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