The GHS Band varsity wind ensemble placed third in the regional level of the Texas Music Education Association state honor band competition.  Judges reviewed musical recordings of Class 4A bands on June 4, 2011.

"We are very pleased with the result of our first entry into the honor band process," said band director Mark Eastin.  "Much of this first entry is a learning experience for the students.  They have had to learn the process from the recording rules to the level of musical literature it takes to compete at the highest level in our state."

The varsity wind ensemble entered the competition with a recording from its spring concert on May 24.  The group performed three works from its UIL sweepstakes-winning concert earlier this year.  The music included “Inglesina” by Delle Cese, “Aurora Awakes” by John Mackey, and “Shepherd’s Hey” by Percy Grainger.

Participating bands are allowed four different opportunities to record performances of their selected music.  Recordings are judged by a five-member panel at the region, area and state levels.  Only two bands in each class are selected to move on to the next level of competition from the region and area levels of competition, which alternates each year among the school classifications.

In the TMEA Region 7 contest, Fort Worth Southwest and Aledo – both perennial area and state qualifying bands - placed first and second.  "We have some very established band programs in our region who have been through the honor band process many times, so we just wanted to put ourselves in the best possible position to compete by playing great music and getting the best possible recording to we could for our entry," Eastin commented.

The director was proud of the band’s success.  "This is a huge step forward for the band program here in Granbury,” he remarked.  "All of this success is a testament to the willingness of our students to do what it takes to play and succeed at the highest level our state offers."

GHS students have set some lofty goals for the near future with a strong freshman class joining the band this fall, according to Eastin.  Future competitions for the wind ensemble will include the National Wind Band Honors competition and the Dallas Wind Symphony Invitational Windband Festival with performances in the world-renowned Meyerson Symphony Center.

The marching band will begin preparations for their fall season on July 28 with a marching fundamental camp with competitions scheduled for Aledo Unleash the Sound Marching Festival and Tournament of Champions Marching Contest in Carrollton.  The two invitational contests will precede the band’s performance at the UIL regional marching competition on October 22 – with a chance to advance to the Class 4A state marching contest set for the Alamodome in November.