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GHS BAND EARNS SUPERIOR RATING AT UIL MARCHING CONTEST

October 14, 2015
 
Band  
 
The GHS Pirate Band earned a Division I superior rating at the UIL region marching competition on October 13, 2015, at Herman Clark Stadium in Fort Worth.
 
"The Maze” marching show, which features music from “Symphony No. 1” and “Symphony No. 2” by Samuel Barber, received the top rating from all three judges, who evaluated both Class 5A and 6A groups on Saturday.
 
“The Pride of Granbury has received first division ratings from all three marching judges at region contest for six consecutive years,” commented band director Mark Eastin.  “Each year achieving more as a marching ensemble. I am so proud of this year's band and their achievements thus far this season on a very challenging music book and high-demand drill design.”
 
Granbury will advance to the UIL Area B marching contest on Saturday, October 24 at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton. The marching ensemble will next prepare at the Sam Houston State University Marching Festival on Saturday, October 17 in Huntsville.
 
Band members previously participated in two invitational competitions – the Midlothian Marching Showcase on October 3 followed by the DeSoto Marching Classic on October 10. The band made the finals at both events.
 
GHS Pirate Band  
 
DeSoto band director Delton Brown made a special trip to the UIL competition in order to present trophies from last weekend’s competition. He apologized to the band for tabulation errors by contest officials that led to Granbury not being announced as a finalist. Although the band did march at finals, judges were not aware of the miscue and only evaluated the ensemble with an exhibition critique. Brown presented trophies recognizing the Pirate Band as a finalist and for received top marks in musical performance during the preliminary round.
 
In addition to drum majors Braden Jumper and Emma McKelvain, also serving in band leadership positions are: color guard captain Kaily Reason; drumline captain Reagan Hall; section leaders Whitney Shearon (flute), Reagan Clarkson (clarinet), Sam Perez (saxophone), Matthew Johnston (trumpet), Brennan Ross (French horn), Fernando Barragan (low brass), and Aaron Morgan (tuba); drill captains Reece Ahler, Brynn Bednarz, Melaine Boleng, Gavin Clarkson, Shannon Cooke, Tiffany Henney, Kalvin Hughes, Saylor Jordan, Rayni Skaggs, Lily Thornton, and Cameron Weeks.
 
Eastin is assisted by Tahlequah Kirk, Acton Middle School directors John Morgan and Stephanie Bosch, and Granbury Middle School directors Michele Kahne and James Beeson.