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NLHS Marching Band Advances To UIL Area

The North Lamar Marching Band earns superior ratings at the UIL Regional Marching Contest in Sulphur Springs last Tuesday with their show “Caged.” They will go on to compete at the Area in the UIL State Marching Band process in December.

 

Wins superior ratings at region

The North Lamar Marching Band found favor with all three judges at the UIL Regional Marching Band Contest in Sulphur Springs last Tuesday to earn straight superiors in the UIL State Marching Band process. They will go on to compete in the Area on Saturday (Dec 5) in Lindale.

Their show “Caged!” explores different emotions of animals caged. Music selection includes “Animals” by Maroon 5, “Wine-Dark Seas” by John Mackey, “Letting Go” by James Dooley, and “Miraculous Mandarin” by Bela Bartok.

Due to travel and expense, Texas, Class 2A, 4A, and 6A compete in the UIL State Marching Band process in even number years while 1A, 3A, and 5A are competing in odd number years. Bands earning 1 (superior) ratings at one of the 30 plus regional marching contests advance to one of five area contests. Only two to five of these fantastic bands go from Area to state. North Lamar has over 30 years of superior ratings at the Regional UIL Marching Contest and has advanced to the Area round every state year since 2008.

“It is an honor to be with these students every day,” said NL Band Director Randy Jones. “To see their dedication and determination makes us want to provide the best experience for them, we can.”

Preparing for a state year is busy and exciting. In particular, this year has had its challenges with COVID cases and quarantines that have only made the North Lamar band stronger.

On Saturday (Nov 7), the band competed in Princeton at the Sounds of Fall Invitational Marching Contest. Usually, this contest holds a preliminary for all the bands during the day, followed by selecting the top ten to perform in the evening. With COVID and trying to limit how many people are in an area, they held only one performance. 

The NLHS Marching Band placed first in the music performance category, second in the marching category, fourth in percussion, and second in color guard. They awarded them second place in Class 4A and third place overall following Mineola High School, who placed first and was directed by former NL graduate Chris Brannon, and second place Canton High School.

North Lamar competed on Saturday (Nov 14) at the Celina Invitational Marching Contest. Again, only one performance due to the pandemic. The North Lamar Panther Band had a stellar performance placing first in the music category, second in marching, third in percussion, and sixth in color guard. They awarded North Lamar first place in Class 4A and Grand Champion for the entire contest.

“Through all of the challenges this year, our students have worked very hard, and we could not be more proud of their efforts,” said Jones.

Randy Jones, Marcus Lutz, Gary Monroe, and Jeremy Troche are the directors of the band.