April 16, 2018

The Granbury High School Pirate Band wind ensemble performed at the Dallas Wind Symphony's Invitational Windband Festival on April 14, 2018, in the landmark Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

Granbury was named Grand Champion runner-up for the two-day festival among 32 competing bands – behind only Prosper, a Class 6A school.  The woodwind section won first overall for woodwind performance, while the brass was second and percussion was fourth.  The ensemble won third overall for artistic performance.

For the festival, the wind ensemble performed Honey Boys on Parade by Edward Cupero, Aegean Festival Overture by Andreas Makris, and Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez.

Melanie Boleng received the Outstanding Woodwind Soloist award for her clarinet performance.  Others receiving soloist honors were: Lauren Boleng, flute/piccolo; Megan Bednarz, oboe; Ian Cone, French horn; Alissa Garcia, trumpet; Alex Inbody, Eb clarinet; Hannah Myers, English horn; Savannah Oliver, alto saxophone/soprano saxophone; Bethany Pavelick, bassoon.

The varsity ensemble next attends the UIL concert and sightreading contest on Thursday, April 19 at Burleson High School.  The symphonic and concerts will compete on Wednesday, April 18.

This marks the GHS wind ensemble’s third appearance at the Dallas festival. The band placed third among 35 groups last year.  In 2014, the group also won Outstanding Woodwind Section and Outstanding Woodwind Soloist awards.

The students are under the direction of Mark Eastin.